Pseudotumor of the heart: subepicardial hematoma of the right atrium.

A 28-year-old man with a huge subepicardial hematoma of the right atrium, which is so rare that a review of the literature has failed to disclose similar case, is reported. Suspecting of rhabdomyoma, we excised free wall of the right atrium and a part of lateral wall of the superior vena cava. The excised part was reconstructed with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore tex). This synthetic material has a few merit and application of this one to the reconstruction in the venous system seems more promising. He was discharged with a regular sinus rhythm, normal heart size three months after the operation. The histologic examination of the excised material revealed amorphous blood clots and chronic granulation tissue containing hemosiderin-cells. The cause of the hematoma was not clarified even by microscopic examination.