A report of mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescences and a literature review

We report the case of a rare cardiac lesion, mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescences, and also provide a review of the literature. Diagnosis of this entity was based on both its unique morphologic features and imunohistochemical stains. Cytokeratin positivity confirmed the epithelial component, mesothelial cells, in the lesion. Positive staining of CD68 in the monocytic-appearing cells revealed the histiocytic nature of the second component of this lesion. Differential diagnoses are discussed. This report emphasizes the diagnostic dilemma encountered with this unusual entity and the possibility of misdiagnosing the epithelial portion as a metastatic lesion or visa versa. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.