Papillary Fibroelastoma With Water Bath Examination

A woman in her 80s was hospitalized for asthenia. A right atrial pedicled mass with flowerlike fronds measuring 1.5 × 2 cm was incidentally discovered on echocardiography. The patient underwent excision of the mass via midline sternotomy. A water bath examination revealed a sea anemone–like appearance. The diagnosis of papillary fibroelastoma was confirmed on pathological analysis. Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare primary benign cardiac tumor typically occurring on left-sided valves. Surgical resection is indicated in most cases to prevent cardioembolic events. Click the Related Article link for full details.