Two- and three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of acquired ascending aortic aneurysm to pulmonary artery fistula.

Aorta to pulmonary artery fistula is an uncommon and potentially fatal condition. This case is of a 48-year-old Caucasian male with congestive heart failure and multiple aortic valve replacement surgeries who presented with an acquired ascending aortic aneurysm to pulmonary artery fistula diagnosed using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography via nonstandard imaging windows. Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography using live/real time three-dimensional color Doppler was used to assess the size of the opening of the fistula, providing additional value. This patient was surgically managed and is doing well 8 months postoperation.

Symptomatic Bronchogenic Cyst in a Lipomatous Interatrial Septum.

Intracardiac bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare congenital anomalies that arise during foregut development when the embryologic heart tube and ventral foregut are in close proximity to one another. We report a case of an interatrial septal bronchogenic cyst found on non-contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) in a 66-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with chest pain. Further cardiac investigations, including contrast-enhanced CT angiogram of the heart, transthoracic echocardiogram, and transesophageal echocardiogram, revealed a cystic mass in the lipomatous interatrial septum. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a bronchogenic cyst of the interatrial septum. No surgical intervention was pursued, as the mass remained stable, and the cardiothoracic surgeon did not recommend excision. This case highlights a rare case of a symptomatic bronchogenic cyst arising in the interatrial septum diagnosed by imaging modalities. Bronchogenic cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of intracardiac tumors.