Fall Into September CASE

The latest issue of CASE is now available with intriguing reports, including “Left Atrial Mural Thrombus Arising from a Left Atrial Diverticulum,” by Maeda et al. CASE Editor-in-Chief, Vincent Sorrell, MD, FASE, remarked, “These authors reported their findings in a 77-year man with atrial fibrillation and an LA thrombus unexpectedly first noted during a CT scan performed for acute back pain. During their work-up, a TTE and TEE were obtained and surprisingly demonstrated that the origin of this thrombus was remote from the LA appendage and seemed to originate from a small LA diverticulum. The thrombus was shown to resolve with anticoagulation during follow-up imaging. This report adds another example of potential cardiac source of emboli and reiterates the importance of comprehensive LA assessments.”

This month’s CASE collection features a diverse selection of rare findings, diagnostic challenges, and intriguing clinical observations. Gunta et al. present an informative case of an atrial septal pouch and associated thrombus, complemented by high-quality echocardiographic, CT, and angiographic images and a helpful illustration of left and right atrial septal pouch formation. Bruce et al. highlight the exceptionally rare finding of obstructive LAA stenosis, with striking peak gradients exceeding 60 mmHg in one patient. Woodham et al. explore the evolving phenotypic patterns of takotsubo syndrome during recovery, while Nguyen et al. and Simard et al. detail the complexities of cardiomyopathy diagnosis and classification. Chandra et al. and Al Mosa et al. examine the potential association between cannabis exposure and nonimmune fetal atrioventricular block, and the rare finding of a persistent fifth aortic arch. Finally, Kaplan et al. demonstrate the value of careful color-flow Doppler during routine echocardiography in canines, showing how a murmur can reveal an otherwise unsuspected congenital pathology. Together, these cases offer readers a fascinating look at uncommon findings while highlighting the importance of detailed imaging and thoughtful interpretation in echocardiographic practice.

Readers can look forward to Dr. Sorrell’s editorial, “Size, Shape, Property, or Precipitator.”

Share your next great case with CASE! Whether you’re preparing your very first submission or adding to a long list of published reports, we are here to make it a great experience. Email us with questions or submit your report today!