Asymptomatic cardiac tumor in a child: an incidental diagnosis

• Published in: Revista portuguesa de cardiologia 2011-10, Vol.30 (10), p.795-797
• Main Authors: Cordinhã, Carolina, Pereira, Ângela, Silva, Patrícia Vaz, Dionísio, Teresa, Martins, Paula, Sousa, Graça, Santos, Isabel, Pires, António, Ribeiro, Lúcia, Castela, Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Asymptomatic Diseases; Child, Preschool; Fibroma - diagnosis; Heart Neoplasms - diagnosis; Humans; Incidental Findings; Male
• ISSN: 0870-2551
• DOI: 10.1016/S0870-2551(11)70028-2

Cardiac tumors in the pediatric population are rare, their incidence range between 0.001% and 0.003%. They are mostly benign, rhabdomyomas the most common type, followed by fibromas. The clinical features are being usually nonspecific and depend on the size and location of the tumor within the heart. We report the case of a previously healthy four-year-old boy referred for flu-like symptoms. A respiratory infection was suspected and a chest X-ray showed an increased cardiothoracic index. An echocardiogram revealed a single large heterogeneous mass in the left ventricle emerging from the lateral wall. Despite its size, the mass did not obstruct the left ventricular outflow tract or affect mitral valve function. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed a large mass whose imaging features were suggestive of a fibroma. He became symptomatic during follow-up and was referred for surgical excision of the mass. Histological study confirmed a fibroma. At present the patient remains asymptomatic.