Left Atrial Appendage Mimicking Coronary Aneurysm and Thrombus on Echocardiography in a Child with Kawasaki Disease

Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is an embryologically distinct structure with anatomical features that may mimic pathological findings on echocardiography. In Kawasaki disease, this resemblance can cause diagnostic confusion with coronary artery aneurysm or thrombus. Clinical presentation: A 7-year-old boy presented with fever lasting more than five days and cervical lymphadenopathy following a viral illness. Kawasaki disease was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography suggested an abnormality of the left coronary artery with possible thrombus, and the patient was started on aspirin, clopidogrel, and apixaban. Coronary computed tomography angiography demonstrated normal coronary origins, course, and caliber, confirming the suspected lesion to be the LAA. Conclusion: The LAA may course adjacent to the left coronary artery and mimic a coronary aneurysm. Multimodality imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of the Saudi Heart Association
Published
2026-07-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.37616/2212-5043.1514
Primary Topic
Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
Type
article
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article

Left Atrial Appendage Mimicking Coronary Aneurysm and Thrombus on Echocardiography in a Child with Kawasaki Disease

Anhar Ali Baeshen, Riad Abouzahr, Jameel alata
Journal of the Saudi Heart Association
Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
article

Left Atrial Appendage Mimicking Coronary Aneurysm and Thrombus on Echocardiography in a Child with Kawasaki Disease

Anhar Ali Baeshen, Riad Abouzahr, Jameel alata
article en

Abstract

Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is an embryologically distinct structure with anatomical features that may mimic pathological findings on echocardiography. In Kawasaki disease, this resemblance can cause diagnostic confusion with coronary artery aneurysm or thrombus. Clinical presentation: A 7-year-old boy presented with fever lasting more than five days and cervical lymphadenopathy following a viral illness. Kawasaki disease was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography suggested an abnormality of the left coronary artery with possible thrombus, and the patient was started on aspirin, clopidogrel, and apixaban. Coronary computed tomography angiography demonstrated normal coronary origins, course, and caliber, confirming the suspected lesion to be the LAA. Conclusion: The LAA may course adjacent to the left coronary artery and mimic a coronary aneurysm. Multimodality imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Journal of the Saudi Heart AssociationVol. 38(1)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (SA)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
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