A rare morphology of the cardiac fibroma in a child: a case report

Here we report a rare morphology of a cardiac fibroma in a child. A 2-year and 8-month-old toddler came for "chronic constipation" and was found to have a heart murmur on cardiac auscultation. Further transthoracic echocardiography suggested "a strong echogenic mass in the left ventricular wall, with some part of "a string of beads" in shape extending into left ventricle outflow tract", which was atypical for either a tumor, thrombus or vegetation. The child underwent resection of the mass and mitral valvuloplasty. Pathological examination confirmed the mass as a cardiac fibroma.

Perinatal unusual rhabdomyoma location - case report and systematic reviews of the literature

Objective: To report a case of prenatal diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma (CR) and neonatal surgical treatment as well as undertaking a systematic review of the literature to determine most frequent localization of CR, common signs and symptoms, associated pathologies, incidence of surgery, and prognoses for CR.Methods: We conducted systematic review of the literature on CR that were diagnosed and treated in the perinatal period, searching for English language articles in the PubMed/Medline database that were published within the past 20 years, using the following search terms: "cardiac rhabdomyoma"; "neonates"; "newborn"; "surgery".Results: Eighty-two studies were selected, but only 46 studies met the inclusion criteria. After birth, the majority of newborns were asymptomatic; however, murmurs and arrhythmia were also the two most prevalent signs of CR. The most prevalent location was the ventricles, corresponding to 40.3% of all cases, with 53% of these having a rhabdomyoma in the left ventricle. The incidence of multiple tumors was 56%, and in those cases the location of tumors was also most common in the ventricles. Tuberous sclerosis was the most commonly associated pathology, being present in 72% of cases of CR. Surgical treatment occurred in 27% of cases, and 3% of cases required surgery and prostaglandin. Regarding the perinatal outcome, 6% of cases resulted in fetal or neonatal death.Conclusion: CR are benign tumors which tend to spontaneously regress during early childhood but may have unfavorable outcomes in the presence of obstructive lesions and arrhythmias. Surgery is generally necessary in symptomatic patients.

Cardiac Tumors in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review

This systematic review sought to investigate the current evidence regarding surgical management of primary cardiac tumors in children and adolescents. Twenty-eight studies were deemed eligible, reporting on 745 pediatric patients. Rhabdomyoma was the most prevalent histologic type and echocardiography was the most common diagnostic tool. Cumulative 30-day mortality rate was 6.7%. Rhabdomyomas and teratomas had the highest 30-day mortality. The higher percentage of tumor relapse was noted for myxoma and teratoma. Although cardiac tumors are rare, their atypical clinical presentation, potential for recurrence, and the poor prognosis associated with recurrence elucidate the need for reliable diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Biventricular Repair in a Neonate With Obstructive Inflow Cardiac Rhabdomyoma and Tuberous Sclerosis

A neonate with prenatally diagnosed large intracardiac rhabdomyomas and suspicion of tuberous sclerosis presented at birth with severe ductal-dependent obstruction at the tricuspid valve and an atrial septal defect (ASD). Biventricular repair at 9 days of life included tumor resection, repair of the posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve with autologous pericardium, fenestrated ASD closure, and ductus ligation. After an uneventful postoperative recovery, follow-up echocardiography at two months showed excellent results with tricuspid valve competency and normal biventricular function. Overall prognosis will probably depend on issues pertaining to tuberous sclerosis.