DELAYED DETECTION OF A RETROATRIAL HEMATO MA - CONTRIBUTION OF CARDIAC IMAGING

Right intrapericardial retroatrial haematomas are usually discovered i n an acute context of tamponade, following cardiac surgery. The origin al feature of this case was the asymptomatic nature of a right retroat rial haematoma, after surgical closure of an ostium secundum atrial se ptal defect, with a free interval of more than 20 years between the su rgical procedure and the first relatively minor symptoms, consisting o f supraventricular arrhythmias. it can be difficult to determine the i ntra- or extra-atrial topography of a right-sided mass by transthoraci c echocardiography. On the other hand, transoesophageal echocardiograp hy and ultrafast CT can provide a precise topographic diagnosis and ap pear to be complementary to assess the nature of pericardial masses.