A connective tissue pericardial hamartoma: A case report with literature review of cardiac hamartoma

INTRODUCTION: Hamartoma is a tumor that can manifest anywhere in the body and results in the abnormal formation of tissue native to the anatomical location. It is usually a benign tumor that rarely arises from the heart or pericardium. Most of the cases are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during the evaluation of other medical conditions. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of a 65-year-old female with dyspnea who was diagnosed with a mediastinal mass. After removing the mass surgically, the mass was found to be heart-like containing four chambers located in the pericardium, and a pathology report of a connective tissue hamartoma. CONCLUSION: Pericardial tumors including hamartoma should be considered in all patients with wide mediastinum and cardiopulmonary symptoms. We also present a review of the literature on the cardiac and pericardial hamartomas with a comparison of age, gender, location, symptoms, and management. Although cardiac hamartomas in general and epicardial hamartomas, in particular, are extremely rare, they should be considered in adults with cardiopulmonary symptoms and widened mediastinum.