Surgical resection of right ventricular rhabdomyoma under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography on a beating heart

Case report: Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by multicomponent mesenchymal tumor

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) is a cause of hemodynamic instability that can lead to right ventricular dysfunction. Cardiac tumors located in the right ventricle or surrounding structures can cause RVOTO. Herein, we present a rare case of a 21-year-old male with palpitations due to RVOTO caused by a cardiac multicomponent mesenchymal tumor. The tumor was localized in the right ventricular outflow tract, resulting in right side heart enlargement, tricuspid regurgitation, and RVOTO. Hence, tumor resection was performed. The patient was in a stable condition and discharged home on the 6th post-operative day. However, histopathological examination of the tumor specimen suggested a three-component mesenchymal tumor containing mucinous components, formed blood vessels, and fibrous tissue, which is like an atypical capillary hemangioma. After seven years of follow-up, the patient had no right heart enlargement, tricuspid regurgitation, and tumor recurrence. We believe surgical treatment is effective, and this case will provide a reference for clinicians to treat and evaluate the prognosis of similar three-component mesenchymal cardiac tumor cases in the future.

A case of surgically resected cardiac rhabdomyoma with progressive left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most prevalent cardiac tumors in the pediatric population, in close association with tuberous sclerosis complex. It is usually detected antenatally or postnatally by echocardiography. Clinical presentations depend greatly on the size and position of the tumor mass. Interestingly, rhabdomyoma has a propensity to regress spontaneously and is not usually operated upon, unless the patient becomes hemodynamically compromised. Herein, we report an unusual case of surgically treated cardiac rhabdomyoma in a baby boy presented at birth with a progressive enlarging intraventricular mass, complicated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction 7 weeks later. Histopathological examination of the intracardiac mass revealed sheets of tumor cells with spider-like morphology (known as "spider cells"), confirmed the diagnosis of rhabdomyoma. Close disease monitoring of patient's hemodynamic status in a newly diagnosed cardiac rhabdomyoma is inevitable as the tumor, although rare, may progress.