Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma: case report and review of the literature

KRAS mutation in papillary fibroelastoma: a true cardiac neoplasm?

Primary cardiac tumours are rare and mostly benign lesions. Recent publications report that cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are the most common benign primary heart tumour, outnumbering myxomas. However, there is no consensus about their aetiology. We investigated the molecular profile of these tumours using next generation sequencing in a cohort of 16 cases. Eleven of 14 (79%) analysable tumours showed mutations of the KRAS oncogene. Our results provide unambiguous evidence that a significant proportion of these lesions are genuine neoplastic tumours caused by an oncogenic driver mutation.

Beating-heart surgical treatment of tricuspid valve papillary fibroelastoma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare. And only 15% of the papillary fibroelastomas are located on tricuspid valve. However, the treatment of papillary fibroelastomas varies.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 75-year-old Chinese male who was hospitalized because of a right atrial mass found by echocardiography. Complete tumor excision along with Kay's tricuspid valvuloplasty surgery on beating heart under cardiopulmonary bypass was performed to the patient. Pathologic examination confirmed the definite diagnosis of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. The recovery of the patient was uneventful and echocardiographic examination performed 6 months after surgery revealed no recurrence of the tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Beating-heart surgical excision is an effective and safe treatment of tricuspid papillary fibroelastomas.

Cardiac masses, part 2: key imaging features for diagnosis and surgical planning

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this article are to discuss key radiologic features that differentiate primary and secondary cardiac masses. Clinical scenarios are included to highlight stepwise radiologic workup of tumors of the pericardium, epicardium, myocardium, valves, and chambers. The involvement of key cardiac anatomic structures will also be emphasized to determine resectability and guide surgical planning.

CONCLUSION

Multimodality imaging plays a pivotal role in diagnosis and surgical planning of cardiac masses. Clinical features, such as patient age, location, and imaging characteristics of the mass will determine the likely differential diagnosis. In addition to radiologic evaluation of the mass itself, involvement of valvular apparatus, extent of myocardial involvement, or presence of associated coronary artery involvement is necessary to determine resectability and surgical technique.