Left ventricular lipoma resected using thoracoscope-assisted limited sternotomy: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: A cardiac lipoma is an uncommon primary tumor, with a reported incidence ranging from 2.9% to 8% among all benign cardiac tumors. Although the prognosis in most asymptomatic cases is good during longterm follow-up, some reports have shown that untreated cardiac lipomas may be fatal when they cause arrhythmic or obstructive symptoms. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a rare case of left ventricular (LV) lipoma. The mass measured 25 mm 10 mm, with a pedicle on the LV posterior wall near the apex. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed as left ventricular lipoma using echocardiography. INTERVENTIONS: The LV lipoma was resected using thoracoscopy-assisted limited sternotomy. OUTCOMES: Histopathologic examination was consistent with lipoma. No signs of recurrence were detected on an echocardiogram during a 3-month follow-up period. LESSONS: We performed a comprehensive review of relevant literature and summarized the known 21 cases from 1980 to 2017. LV lipoma may present with or without symptoms, and endoscopic resection may be a good alternative to open surgery.