Published online Jun 26, 2015. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v7.i6.357
Peer-review started: November 16, 2014
First decision: February 7, 2015
Revised: February 25, 2015
Accepted: April 1, 2015
Article in press: April 7, 2015
Published online: June 26, 2015
Processing time: 222 Days and 23.2 Hours
We are reporting a long-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up in a rare case of cardiac left lateral wall hypertrophy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiovascular disorder and a significant cause of sudden cardiac death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can be a valuable tool for assessment of detailed information on size, localization, and tissue characteristics of hypertrophied myocardium. However, there is still little knowledge of long-term evolution of HCM as visualized by magnetic resonance imaging. Recently, our group reported a case of left lateral wall HCM as a rare variant of the more common forms, such as septal HCM, or apical HCM. As we now retrieved an old cardiac MRI acquired in this patient more than 20 years ago, we are able to provide the thrilling experience of an ultra-long MRI follow-up presentation in this rare case of left lateral wall hypertrophy. Furthermore, this case outlines the tremendous improvements in imaging quality within the last two decades of CMR imaging.
Core tip: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be a valuable tool for assessment of detailed information on size, localization, and tissue characteristics in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We report the thrilling experience of an ultra-long magnetic resonance imaging follow-up presentation in a rare case of left lateral wall hypertrophy with an initial cardiac MRI of patient acquired more than 20 years ago. This case outlines the tremendous improvements in imaging quality within the last two decades of cardiac MR imaging.