Obstructive right ventricular outflow tract myxosarcoma in an adult dog

An 8-year-old female spayed German Shepherd cross was presented for acute onset of respiratory distress. Four days before presentation, the owner noticed a reduced appetite and reluctance to move. Clinical examination identified muffled lung sounds and a left base, diamond-shaped systolic murmur graded 4/6. Echocardiography identified pleural and pericardial effusion, ascites and a myxoid mass (39 mm/18.9 mm) obstructing the right ventricular outflow tract and interfering with the pulmonary valve function. Given the poor prognosis, the dog was euthanatised, and a postmortem examination was performed. Grossly, a mass with a heterogeneous appearance was identified below the pulmonary valve leaflets. Based on histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of intracardiac myxosarcoma affecting the subvalvular region of the pulmonary artery was made. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of right ventricle out flow tract myxosarcoma in the canine species.

Diagnosis of a rare cardiac human herpesvirus-8 positive B-cell lymphoma manifestation: a case report of a transoesophageal echocardiography-guided trans-septal catheter biopsy

Introduction

Human herpesvirus-8-associated B-cell lymphoma is a common disease entity in immunocompromised individuals, particularly in patients with chronic HIV-infection or AIDS. However, cardiac manifestations are extremely rare. Tissue for histopathology of left cardiac tumours is most commonly obtained by open surgery.

Case presentation

In this report, we present a case of a solitary left atrial manifestation of an HHV8+ B-cell lymphoma in a 59-year-old patient presenting with B symptoms and a cardiac mass on echocardiography. Due to the high operative risk of the patient, a transcatheter/trans-septal biopsy was performed to establish the diagnosis.

Discussion

In the era of routine trans-septal catheter interventions, this approach may represent a straight-forward, minimally invasive alternative for patients at high risk for surgery.

Lymphangioma of the heart as a rare tumor: A case report

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Lymphangioma is a rare cardiac tumor.

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Lymphangiomas are benign in nature.

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Diagnosis based on imaging techniques is difficult.

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Surgery may be needed for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Introduction

Tumors of the heart are uncommon, and lymphangiomas are among the rarest of this group, with very few cases reported. These tumors consist of a benign slow-flow vascular malformation.

Presentation of case

We report a case of a man diagnosed incidentally with a pericardial mass and our surgical approach for its treatment.

Discussion

The pericardial mass of our case had no cleavage plane between the myocardium and the tumor. Because of this, rather than a total resection, with very high operative risk, a biopsy was preferred. The pathology specimen showed a benign tumor and the patient was referred to the cardiologist for regular follow-up.

Conclusion

There is no specific investigation for diagnosing cardiac lymphangiomas, and though benign, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other malignant diseases of the mediastinum and definitive pathologic diagnosis is mandatory. Given the increased risk of uncontrolled bleeding related to percutaneous biopsy, the definite diagnosis is usually obtained with open surgical biopsy.