Acute Occlusion of Abdominal Aorta: Unusual Embolization Site for a Cardiac Tumor Mass

We report a rare case of complete embolization of a left atrial myxoma resulting in total occlusion of the suprarenal abdominal aorta. A 54-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of acute thoracic pain with paraplegia and acute renal failure. Abdominal computed tomography and angiography showed evidence of total occlusion of the suprarenal aorta. Intraoperatively, the aorta was found to be occluded by a hard neoformation, histologically defined as atrial myxoma. A diagnosis of atrial myxoma should be suspected in young patients suffering from acute thoracic pain and affected by paraplegia and acute renal failure. Early diagnosis may significantly abate the morbidity and mortality rates associated with this condition.

[Left Atrial Myxoma with Ossification;Report of a Case]

A 69-year-old female with left atrial tumor was refered to our hospital for surgical treatment. The tumor was attached to the interatrial septum and resected completely. Histopathological analysis confirmed a myxoma with ossification(mature bone). These findings may support the hypothesis that the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells are the origin of cardiac myxoma.

[Primary Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma;Report of a Case]

A 69-year-old male was referred to our hospital after being diagnosed as having pericarditis with pericardial effusion. The symptoms of tamponade disappeared after the effusion was drained;although the cause of pericarditis remained unidentified. About 4 months later, the tamponade symptoms recurred due to the thickened nodular pericardium. Partial pericardiectomy was performed, however the patient died on the 52nd day after surgery. Immunohistological examination with calretinin led to the diagnosis of primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma, which was an extremely rare pathology. Because the hyaluronic acid content of the effusion has been reported as a diagnostic aid for malignant mesothelioma, routine examination of the hyaluronic acid content for pericarditis with pericardial effusion may be necessary for early diagnosis and to improve prognosis.

Multimodal Imaging for the Assessment of a Cardiac Mass - A Case of Primary Cardiac Sarcoma

We present a case of an 85-year-old patient who underwent clinical work-up for chronic heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, and pulmonary embolism, until she was diagnosed with a cardiac mass that was histologically identified as sarcoma. The aim of this educational case report is to raise awareness of cardiac masses and to point out diagnostic hints towards a cardiac tumor on chest X-ray, coronary angiography, echocardiography, and chest CT. Moreover, the vital role of cardiac magnetic resonance for the diagnosis of a cardiac mass is highlighted.

Giant Intracardiac Smooth-Muscle Cell Tumor Presenting as Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

We report the case of a 53-year-old man presenting with a superior vena cava syndrome secondary to a giant intracardiac mass occupying the majority of the right-side cavities of the heart. A mass measuring 10.5 × 9.5 × 4.0 cm originating from the superior vena cava and occupying most of the right atrium extended through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. The mass was resected. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11. The pathology report revealed the mass to be a smooth-muscle cell tumor of unknown malignant potential.

A Road to the Heart From Uterine Closet: A Case Report

Angiosarcomas of the uterine is a malignant and poor prognostic tumor and can either be a primary sarcoma or arising secondary to radiotherapy of a more complex tumor. Primary uterine angiosarcomas are exceptional and probably arise from embryonic vascular remnants, teratoma or from the rich uterine vasculature. We reported a rare case of primary angiosarcoma of uterine that at the time of diagnosis presented with sign and symptom of local and distant metastasis. The patient presented with dyspnea, chest pain, and history of vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. The physical exam revealed pallor, prominent jugular pulse pressure, a palpable fixed mass in the pelvic however vaginal exam was unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed massive pericardial effusion and also a large mass in the right atrium. The abdominal ultrasound showed echogenic and poor echogenic segments in uterine mass combined with central necrosis. The patient underwent total hysterectomy and Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient underwent open heart surgery with resection of cardiac mass and further received a four cycle of radiotherapy (50 MG) to the mediastinum. The further follow-up (6 month) revealed no recurrence of tumor in a mediastinum. However, patient died from metastasis to the liver and its hepatic failure sequels.

Histology of Thrombectomy Specimen Reveals Cardiac Tumor Embolus in Cryptogenic Young Stroke

A 25-year-old woman presented with acute onset of right hemiplegia and global aphasia with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 19. Computed tomography angiography demonstrated occlusion of the left proximal middle cerebral artery. She was thrombolysed with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (0.6 mg/kg) within 3 hours of onset of symptoms and was taken up for mechanical thrombectomy. The retrieved specimen appeared pale white and soft; histopathologic examination revealed a papillary neoplasm composed of papillae with hyalinized cores lined by endothelium, consistent with papillary fibroelastoma of cardiac origin. Transesophageal echocardiography showed no abnormalities, which can be explained by complete embolization of the mass into the cerebral circulation. On follow-up after 5 months, the patient recovered with only minimal aphasia and no cardiac symptoms. Our experience with this case highlights the importance of histopathologic examination of the mechanical thrombectomy specimen, as it provided the only clue to the etiology of stroke.

Imaging and histology in the diagnosis of multiple papillary fibroelastomas in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Case report

Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are one of the most frequent primary cardiac tumors and occur more often in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). PFEs have been linked to an increased risk of neurological events. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with HOCM in whom echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal, using 2D and 3D techniques) revealed multiple masses in various locations in the left cardiac chambers. Surgical excision of the cardiac tumors and aortic valve replacement was performed and the pathologic report confirmed the diagnosis of PFEs. Patient followup using ultrasonography is crucial since recurrence is a possibility. Current cardiac ultrasound techniques are essential for diagnosing and for guiding the management of these conditions.

Cardioembolic Stroke from an Atrial Myxoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cardioembolic stroke is an uncommon phenomenon in pediatric patients. Although the heart is the usual source of the condition, cardiac myxomas are still considered to be a rare cause in children. The case is presented of a 13-year-old, right-handed Saudi boy who showed right-sided weakness for 30 h prior to hospital admission that involved the face, arm, and leg, with slurred speech. The patient had been discharged previously from a local hospital, without active management. An examination showed decreased strength on the right side, with hyperreflexia and an up-going plantar response. The work-up included magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated multiple bilateral acute infarcts involving mainly the left cerebellum and a small focus in the right cerebellum. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a left atrial mass measuring 1.9 cm × 2.4 cm, attached to the septum. The mass was resected after anticoagulation, and histopathology confirmed a benign myxoma. This case of cardioembolic stroke was the first to be identified in a pediatric patient in Saudi Arabia, and may easily have been missed. Brain imaging and echocardiography should be performed as soon as possible in such patients in order to guide patient management.

[Successful Surgical Treatment of Primary Cardiac Lymphoma Detected with the Onset of Acute Heart Failure;Report of a Case]

A 83-year-old woman, suffering from rapidly worsening dyspnea and weight gain from a week ago, was referred for evaluation and treatment of cardiac tumor in the right atrium. Echocardiography and enhanced computed tomography revealed a large tumor, more than 6 cm, occupying the right atrium and blocking the tricuspid valve inflow. Electrocardiogram showed bradycardiac atrial fibrillation. We performed partial resection with cardiopulmonary bypass, in order to improve hemodynamics and to make a definite diagnosis. In operation, the tumor infiltrated not only the right atrium but also the right ventricle and the tricuspid annulus. The pathological examination suggested malignant lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell type. The patient was treated chemotherapy postoperatively. She is alive 1 year after the surgery without apparent recurrence.

[Cardiac Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Acute Heart Failure Due to Cardiac Tamponade]

A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in May 2016 with progressive shortness of breath. We considered him to be experiencing acute heart failure caused by atrial fibrillation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a hypodense mass involving the right atrium and left ventricle, pericardial effusion, and lymphadenopathy of the groin. Histological finding from the groin and pericardial effusion analysis showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). We thus diagnosed this patient with cardiac tamponade owing to the involvement of the heart by DLBCL. Treatment was initiated with tetrahy- dropyranyldoxorubicin/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisolone(THP-COP)therapy(50% dose)and continuous pericardial drainage. We carefully added rituximab 4 days after monitoring his symptoms and vital signs. There were a few adverse effects, and after treatment, the mass and pericardial effusion disappeared. Subsequently, 8 courses of THP-COP therapy accompanied by rituximab(R-THP-COP)(full dose)were administered, resulting in a complete response.

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is rare, but it is the most aggressive type of cardiac malignant tumor. When disease is confirmed it is often late in its stage resulting in a poor prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported a 52-year-old woman who complained of dyspnea for 2 months and dry cough for 10 days. Computed tomography (CT), F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG), positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), and transthoracic echocardiography showed a space-occupying lesion 7 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm in the right atrium. Malignant cells can be seen in pericardial fluid by pericardiocentesis in local hospital, but not be diagnosed definitely. We conducted CT-guided biopsy of the tumor and observed the necrotic tissues. An exploratory thoracotomy was performed and histological examination confirmed angiosarcoma. Unable to be surgical excision due to infiltrating widely, the patients received chemotherapy with docetaxel for 2 cycles and the disease was progressive. Antiangiogenesis-targeted therapy was combined with chemotherapy for 3 months. Unfortunately, the tumor was still in progress. She died of respiratory failure, survived for 10 months.

CONCLUSION

It is difficult to diagnose the primary cardiac angiosarcoma in early stage. Chemotherapy and target therapy are very limited in this case. Surgery remains the preferred treatment for patients with primary cardiac angiosarcoma. More efforts should be carried out on the effective diagnosis and multimodality treatment for this malignant disease.

Left atrial myxoma complicated with multi-system embolization

BACKGROUND

Atrial myxoma accounts for approximately 50% of all cardiac tumors. The majority of myxomas are located in the left atrium and present variable clinical manifestation.

CASE PRESENTATION

A young man was transferred to our hospital with sudden onset of resting pain, pallor and numb in right leg. An atrial mobile mass was detected by transthoracic echocardiography. Anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy were administered, a timely surgery was performed and the mass was confirmed as a myxoma. The patient did not discharge any discomfort post-operation.

CONCLUSION

For patients with atrial myxoma, early diagnosis is essential, anticoagulant or antithrombotic therapy and surgery have a great importance to prevent further embolism.

Cardiac metastasis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma complicated by pulmonary embolism: A case report

RATIONALE

Cardiac metastasis is known as a rare complication of head and neck malignancy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a 58-year-old woman patient with a history of tongue carcinoma who was admitted in emergency department for sudden chest pain. Imaging work-up by computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) diagnosed a cardiac metastasis complicated by intraventricular thrombus and pulmonary embolism.

DIAGNOSIS

Cardiac metastasis from tongue carcinoma complicated by pulmonary embolism.

INTERVENTIONS

After undergoing 2 cycles of palliative chemotherapy, the patient declined any further treatment.

OUTCOMES

Patient died 3 months after the diagnosis of cardiac metastasis.

LESSONS

Cardiac metastasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with a history of head and neck malignancy who present non-specific cardiac symptoms.

Cardiac Fibroelastoma: 10-Year Experience

INTRODUCTION

Papillary fibroelastoma is one of the most common types of primary cardiac tumour. Though a rare pathology, its importance relates to its form of presentation, with stroke and sudden death, and the questions regarding its management.

OBJECTIVES

To review the casuistic of cardiac tumours in our service, in special the papillary fibroelastomas.

METHODS

clinical case series overviewing the period from 1st January 2008 to 30th September 2017. We analysed all patients submitted to cardiac surgery due to cardiac masses or tumours and verified all the pathology results to confirm the diagnosis.

RESULTS

In the period selected, around 6500 surgeries were performed. Of those, 59 patients were operated on due to cardiac tumours. 81.4% were myxomas, 13.6% were papillary fibroelastomas, 3.4% were cardiac sarcomas and 1.7% were metastasis. Of the patients that had papillary fibroelastomas (n=8), 5 were male, and the mean age was 51.5 ± 16.2 years. 62.5% (n=5) had origin in the aortic valve and 37.5% (n=3) in the mitral valve. Regarding presentation, 3 patients presented with stroke, 2 patients had episodes of syncope and 3 patients were asymptomatic. After surgery, all patients remained asymptomatic and there was no evidence of recurrence. At the end of follow-up all patients were alive.

CONCLUSION

Although a rare pathology, papillary fibroelastomas remain important due to their potential for embolization and cardiac chamber obstruction, therefore should be primarily treated with surgery.