Cardiac rhabdomyomas and obstructive left heart disease: histologically but not functionally benign

Neonatal Cardiac Rhabdomyoma: A Single-Center Experience

AIM

Cardiac rhabdomyoma, known as the most common benign cardiac tumor in childhood, is strongly associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. This study aims to present our single-center experience regarding clinical observations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment modalities for cardiac rhabdomyoma identified during the neonatal period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this clinical observational study, we retrospectively assessed the outcomes of 12 newborn patients diagnosed with cardiac rhabdomyoma who were followed up in our neonatal intensive care unit over the past 12 years.

RESULTS

The mean gestational age of the patients was 38.2±1.6 weeks, with an average birth weight of 3193±314 grams. The mean postnatal age at initial diagnosis was 12.42±15.75 days. Tuberous sclerosis complex was clinically identified in 50% of cases (six patients). Seven infants received everolimus treatment, while three infants underwent clinical monitoring without specific interventions. A significant reduction in cardiac mass size was observed in all surviving patients, leading to their subsequent discharge from the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac rhabdomyomas often undergo spontaneous regression in early childhood. However, in cases with obstructive lesions or arrhythmias, they may present life-threatening consequences. Timely diagnosis, appropriate clinical management, and monitoring are crucial in optimizing outcomes for neonates with cardiac rhabdomyoma.

Cardiac Rhabdomyomas Presenting with Critical Cardiac Obstruction in Neonates and Infants: Treatment Strategies and Outcome, A Single-Center Experience

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are the most common benign pediatric heart tumor in infancy, which are commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Most rhabdomyomas are asymptomatic and spontaneously regress over time. However, some cases especially in neonates or small infants can present with hemodynamic instability. Surgical resection of the tumor, which has been the gold standard in alleviating obstruction, is not always possible and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) have been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of TSC. We present the outcomes of neonates and an infant who received treatment for symptomatic rhabdomyomas at a tertiary cardiology center. Medical records were reviewed to obtain clinical, demographic, and outcome data. Six patients received interventions for symptomatic rhabdomyomas, median age at presentation was 1 day old (range from 1 to 121 days old), and 67% of the patients had a pathogenic mutation in TSC gene. One patient underwent surgical resection of solitary tumor at right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) successfully. In the four patients with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, two patients received combined therapy of surgical debulking of LVOT tumor, Stage I palliation procedure, and mTORi and two patients received mTORi therapy. One patient with RVOT obstruction underwent ductal stenting and received synergistic mTORi. Four of the five patients had good response to mTORi demonstrated by the rapid regression of rhabdomyoma size. 83% of patients are still alive at their latest follow-up, at two to eight years of age. One patient died on day 17 post-LVOT tumor resection and Hybrid stage one due to failure of hemostasis, in the background of familial factor VII deficiency. Treatment of symptomatic rhabdomyoma requires individualized treatment strategy based on the underlying pathophysiology, with involvement of multidisciplinary teams. mTORi is effective and safe in inducing rapid regression of rhabdomyomas. A standardized mTORi prescription and monitoring guide will ensure medication safety in neonates and infants with symptomatic cardiac rhabdomyoma. Although the majority of tumors responded to mTORi, some prove to be resistant. Further studies are warranted, ideally involving multiple international centers with a larger number of patients.

Regression of Cardiac Rhabdomyomas Producing a Severe Aortic Stenosis: Case Report and Discussion of the Literature

We describe a case of a voluminous rhabdomyoma (R) detected by fetal echocardiography at 32 weeks' gestation (w.g.) obstructing the left ventricular inflow and aortic outflow tract, with a moderate aortic gradient at birth, not needing immediate surgery. At follow-up, the mass progressively regressed, leaving the aortic valve partly damaged, with a gradient that increased to a maximum of 100 mmHg at 9 years. The girl was then operated on successfully by a plasty of the aortic valve. The literature regarding R is discussed.

Strategies to rare primary cardiac lipomas in the left ventricle in a patient: case report

Background

Primary cardiac tumors are rare in all age groups and are usually benign. Symptoms are usually related to tumor size, location, invasiveness, number, and growth rate. While histologically benign, cardiac arrest may be caused by blocked inflow or outflow or malignant ventricular arrhythmia. Surgical resection of left ventricular tumors, especially those involving the outflow tract, is challenging.

Case presentation

Herein, we present a rare case of an asymptomatic, 39-year-old woman who was referred to our cardiovascular department for a huge left ventricular cardiac mass incidentally discovered during the physical examination. Images showed a huge mass that quasi-circular low-density focus with a clear boundary and regular shape in the left ventricular cavity and fortunately had no significant effect on the peripheral valves and hemodynamics.

Conclusions

This illustrative report highlights the exact surgical management of a cardiac tumor depends largely on the site and extent of the mass. Mechanical compromise and not the neoplastic potential should be considered. A conservative approach and follow-up regularly are advocated to ensure that the patient gets the best diagnosis and treatment, however, surgery is indicated only for severely symptomatic patients with hemodynamic compromise.

Primary and secondary cardiac tumors: clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and results

Cardiac tumours are some of the rarest primary tumours, while cardiac metastasis are more common yet still relatively rare. Seventy five percent of primary cardiac tumours are benign tumours. Cardiac tumours present with a range of obstructive, embolic, arrhythmic or systemic symptoms, and in many cases may present asymptomatically. The clinical presentation depends largely on the size and location of the mass. With advances in cardiac imagining and the introduction of cardiopulmonary bypass, the diagnosis and surgical treatment of these rare tumours has improved the prognosis and outlook for benign and malignant tumours. Management depends on tumour histology, size and location as well as the clinical presentation. Conservative management is reserved for small, benign tumours that can undergo regular echocardiographic follow-up. Symptomatic benign tumours are treated with surgical resection and the results are excellent. Malignant primary cardiac tumours have a poor prognosis with high rates of relapse and a median survival of 10-24 months.

Cardiac Rhabdomyoma in Adult

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a hamartoma comprised of cardiac myocytes. It is the classic cardiac manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) which is an autosomal dominant genetic syndrome with multi-organ involvement, but highly variable phenotype. Cardiac rhabdomyoma is most commonly diagnosed in infancy, 70 to 90% of whom have TSC. However, TSC-associated cardiac rhabdomyoma usually shows spontaneous regression within the first two years of life and hence is extremely rare in adults. We present a 34-year-old woman with TSC who was found to have a cardiac rhabdomyoma when she was referred to the cardiology clinic for evaluation and to establish care. Cardiac rhabdomyoma is usually asymptomatic. However, depending on size and location, it can cause outflow or inflow tract obstruction and aberrant electrical conduction. Hence, appropriate surveillance is important.

Echocardiography and Newer Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis and Long-Term Follow-Up of Primary Heart Tumors in Children

Background: Primary heart tumors (PHTs) in the pediatric population are very rare and do not manifest any characteristic symptoms. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 61 cases was undertaken. Data from three centers for the years 2003–2018 were gathered. The tumors’ clinical course, location, number, hemodynamic, treatment, and follow-up were evaluated. Echocardiography was complemented with magnetic resonance imaging, computer tomography, and histopathological examination. Results: Out of 61 PHT diagnoses, 56 (91.8%) were circumstantial including all 16 (26.2%) prenatal tumors. The reasons for cardiological consultations were arrhythmia, syncopes, lowered physical performance, and murmurs. Only five patients (8.2%) were suspected of tumors based on previous symptoms of sclerosis tuberosa. Rhabdomyoma was the most frequently found PHT (60.7%). The tumors were predominantly located in the ventricles (49.1%) and intraventricular septum (14.9%) and tended to be single (70.5%). About 37.7% of patients suffered from coexistent multi-organ problems, two (3.28%) from congenital heart defects and one (1.64%) from Carney’s syndrome. Tumor resection was performed on 26 (42.7%) patients, of which 16 (61.5%) underwent total and 10 (38.5%) partial tumor resection. During the follow-up (mean 4.3 years), 54 patients (88.5%) have improved or were stable, while seven (11.5%) died. Conclusions: Primary pediatric heart tumors are diagnosed completely circumstantially, and the most common is rhabdomyoma, although arrhythmia may suggest fibroma. Diagnosis of a heart tumor in children is not synonymous with fatal prognosis, and most of them require only constant observation. Life-saving operation allows improvement, while the prognosis for malignant tumors in children is definitely unfavorable.

Literature review of international mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor use in the non-surgical management of haemodynamically significant cardiac rhabdomyomas

Cardiac rhabdomyomas represent the most common primary paediatric cardiac tumour and typically regresses over time in the majority of patients. Among those who are symptomatic, surgical resection or catheterisation procedures have traditionally proven effective. More recently, those invasive or challenging tumours have been successfully treated with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, typically everolimus and sirolimus. This review outlines the current medical literature of the state-of-the-art medical treatment of these tumours. We specifically focus on dosing regimens, duration of therapy, and side-effect profiles of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors among this population. Although the majority of cases responded to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition, standardised guidelines for dosing and duration of treatment remain to be defined.

A Mass Causing Right Ventricular Outflow Obstruction - A Dreadful Complication

The most common cardiac tumour in the pediatric age group is rhabdomyoma. These are usually located in the ventricles, either in the ventricular septum or free wall. Cardiac tumours in early infancy may lead to severely compromised blood flow due to inflow or outflow tract obstruction. The diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma can be established by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Rhabdomyomas have a natural history of spontaneous regression; surgical intervention is reserved for patients with symptoms of severe obstruction or hemodynamic instability. In this study, a case of two-year old child who presented with failure to thrive and underwent excision of pedunculated mass from the right ventricular outflow tract was reported.

Multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in tuberous sclerosis complex: case report and review of the literature

Cardiac rhabdomyoma is a benign tumor which constitutes the most common cardiovascular feature of the tuberous sclerosis complex, a multisystem genetically determined neurocutaneous disorder. Cardiac rhabdomyomas can be detected in the prenatal ultrasound, are usually asymptomatic and spontaneously regress within the first three years of life. Less often, the tumors' size, number, and location can produce a mass effect that may lead to blood flow abnormalities or organ dysfunction (heart failure and arrhythmia). In this setting, severe morbidity, and eventually, a lethal outcome despite clinical and surgical treatment may ensue. We describe a fatal case of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in a newborn girl. One of the rhabdomyomas was large and unfavorably located, causing significant obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. The autopsy identified, in addition to cardiac rhabdomyomas, brain glioneuronal hamartomas (cortical tubers), subependymal nodules and subependymal giant cell tumors, characteristic of the tuberous sclerosis complex. The newborn's family was investigated for the presence of typical clinical symptoms of the complex and image findings showed significant phenotypical variations and a broad symptom spectrum among the family members. This interesting case underscores the variability of tuberous sclerosis complex and the importance of performing a comprehensive postmortem examination in the identification of the cause of death, especially in the setting of familial disease.

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.

Rare operations in pediatric heart surgery: Cardiac tumors in childhood

BACKGROUND

In this study, we present our 12-year experience in the surgical treatment of primary cardiac tumors in childhood.

METHODS

Thirteen pediatric patients (8 males, 5 females; mean age 1.3±1.9 years; range, 3 days to 6 years) who were operated for a primary cardiac tumor in our center between January 2005 and December 2017 were included in this study. The data were evaluated retrospectively based on our medical records.

RESULTS

All of the masses resected were benign. However, the most common tumor was rhabdomyoma (n=7), followed by fibroma (n=3), myxoma (n=2), and pericardial teratoma (n=1). The mortality rate was 15.4%, as two patients died in the early postoperative period. No residual mass or tumor recurrence was observed in the early and late postoperative period in the remaining patients.

CONCLUSION

Although primary cardiac tumors in childhood are usually benign, they may cause clinically significant problems depending on the localization and size of the tumor. Surgical tumor excision is often associated with good long-term outcomes.

Massive biventricular rhabdomyoma in a neonate

Rhabdomyoma is a well characterised entity in a neonate. Herein, we report a massive biventricular rhabdomyoma in a neonate presenting with cyanosis and congestive heart failure which was confirmed on autopsy. The report is for documentation of an unusually large tumour.

Rapid Regression of Obstructive Cardiac Rhabdomyoma in a Preterm Neonate after Sirolimus Therapy

Cardiac rhabdomyoma can be subclinical or fatal depending on the onset age, involving site, and the size and degree of invasion. Although most rhabdomyomas become smaller with time, emergency intervention is indicated when severe obstruction induces hemodynamic instability. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been used to treat neonates and children with hemodynamically obstructive cardiac rhabdomyoma. Herein, we report a premature neonate at the gestational age of 30 + 4 weeks with severe left ventricular outflow tract obstructive cardiac rhabdomyoma who was successfully treated with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of a premature neonate with obstructive cardiac rhabdomyoma who was successfully treated with an mTOR inhibitor. Therefore, sirolimus could be considered as an alternative medical option for managing premature neonates with obstructive cardiac rhabdomyoma.

Regression of Neonatal Cardiac Rhabdomyoma in Two Months Through Low-Dose Everolimus Therapy: A Report of Three Cases

Cardiac rhabdomyoma (CR) is the most common cardiac tumor in newborns. Approximately 75% of cases are associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. Although these tumors usually spontaneously regress after 2 years of age, they can be life-threatening when they obstruct major cardiac inflow or outflow pathways. Everolimus is an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, reducing its production of the proteins harmartin and tuberin. Everolimus has demonstrated a remarkable suppression effect in children with tuberous sclerosis complex at doses of 4.7-5.6 mg/M²/day and serum trough levels of 5-15 ng/mL. Since 2012, five case reports of neonates with CR have also reported the tumor-regressing effect of everolimus. However, the optimal dosage for neonates is still unknown. Over the past 2 years, we have deliberately used a low dose everolimus regimen (0.3-0.67 mg/M²/day) in three neonates with large CRs, in an effort to maintain serum trough levels at 3-7 ng/mL. In all three cases, the tumors regressed smoothly within 2 months. Regarding the drug's side effect of predisposing patients to infection, we observed that adenovirus pneumonia occurred in one case at 3 months of age, and chicken pox occurred in another case at 9 months of age; both recovered smoothly. Our three cases of neonatal CR demonstrate that a low-dose everolimus regimen is an effective treatment for tumor regression.

Intracardiac tumor causing left-ventricular outflow-tract obstruction in a newborn

The following report describes the case of newborn girl with an asymptomatic systolic murmur, which on imaging revealed a nearly obstructive mass in the left-ventricular outflow tract. The mass was resected and found to be consistent with a rhabdomyoma. Here, we describe the pathologic and clinical characteristics of this tumor.

Surgical treatment of primary cardiac valve tumor: early and late results in eight patients

Background

To report early and late outcomes of patients with the primary cardiac valve tumor undergoing surgical treatment over a 30-year period in our cardiovascular center.

Methods

From January 1980 to December 2014, a total of 211 patients with primary cardiac tumors accepted surgical treatments, of which only 8 (3.8 %) were primary cardiac valve tumor patients in our surgical center of cardiovascular.

Results

The diagnosis was identified by echocardiography preoperatively and pathological analysis postoperatively. All patients underwent intracardiac procedures with extracorporeal circulation. Intracardiac procedures included resection of tumor on leaflet in 2 patients (25 %), resection of tumor and native valvuloplasty in 2 patients (25 %), resection of neoplasm and replacement of native valve with prosthetic valve in 4 patients (50 %). One man was performed a resection of tumor on aortic noncoronary leaflet and a coronary artery bypass graft. Eight cases of primary valve tumor occured in all of four cardiac valves. The majority of valvular tumor was myxoma in 3 cases (37.5 %), followed by the papillary fibroelastomas in 2 cases (25 %). There were one rhabdomyoma (12.5 %), one lipoma (12.5 %) and one mild malignant sarcoma (12.5 %). The mitral valve was the most commonly original valve (62.5 %). There was pulmonic (12.5 %), aortic (12.5 %) and tricuspid (12.5 %) valve tumor each one patient. There was no death and recrudescence in the series. Follow-up of all patients ranged from 1 to 16 years (mean 7.06±4.24 years). There was no recrudesce and cardiac valve dysfunction. 

Conclusion

The incidence of primary valve tumor was very low. More understanding of the rare disease and widespread use of echocardiography would greatly improve the diagnosis of primary valve tumor in the early stage. Echocardiography could detect millimeters in diameter neoplasms on cardiac valve. The diagnoses were based on imaging findings and the classical triad symptoms associated with the hemodynamic abnormalities, the organ embolism and the systemic symptoms directly from tumors. The intraoperative frozen sections and postoperative pathology analysis provided accurate diagnosis and supported the treatment strategies. Early diagnosis and intervention were keys to reserve the normal original valve function. Prompt surgical resection is necessary to prevent potential critical events.

Pediatric Cardiac Tumors

Background:

Cardiac tumors in children are rare. Of the cases reported in the literature, nearly all are benign and managed conservatively.

Methods:

This is a retrospective, observational study of pediatric patients <18 years who presented for surgical evaluation of a cardiac tumor, between 1969 and 2014 at a tertiary care children’s hospital. Presentation, pathology, management, and outcomes were evaluated.

Results:

Over the last 45 years, 64 patients were evaluated for surgical resection of a cardiac tumor. Rhabdomyoma was the most common neoplasm (58%), and 17% of the tumors had malignant pathologies. While 42% of benign cardiac neoplasms required surgical intervention for significant hemodynamic concerns, 73% of malignant neoplasms underwent radical excision, if possible, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Despite a 37% mortality in patients with malignant pathology, an aggressive surgical approach can yield long-term survival in some patients. There were no deaths among patients with benign tumors and 17% had postoperative complications mostly related to mitral regurgitation.

Conclusion:

Cardiac tumors in children are rare but can be managed aggressively with good outcomes. Benign tumors have an excellent survival with most complications related to tumor location. Malignant tumors have a high mortality rate, but surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy allow for prolonged survival in selected patients.

Spontaneous regression of a large rhabdomyoma of the interventricular septum

We report the case of a large congenital rhabdomyoma of the interventricular septum diagnosed prenatally. The foetus was strictly monitored with ultrasound throughout the gestation period showing that the mass had increased in size until delivery. Despite the size of the mass, which appeared to occupy the right ventricle, the baby presented no symptoms both in utero and after birth. Serial echocardiography was used to document the regression of the mass in childhood.

Tuberous sclerosis complex diagnostic criteria update: recommendations of the 2012 Iinternational Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Conference

BACKGROUND

Tuberous sclerosis complex is highly variable in clinical presentation and findings. Disease manifestations continue to develop over the lifetime of an affected individual. Accurate diagnosis is fundamental to implementation of appropriate medical surveillance and treatment. Although significant advances have been made in the past 15 years in the understanding and treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex, current clinical diagnostic criteria have not been critically evaluated or updated since the last clinical consensus conference in 1998.

METHODS

The 2012 International Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Group, comprising 79 specialists from 14 countries, was organized into 12 subcommittees, each led by a clinician with advanced expertise in tuberous sclerosis complex and the relevant medical subspecialty. Each subcommittee focused on a specific disease area with important diagnostic implications and was charged with reviewing prevalence and specificity of disease-associated clinical findings and their impact on suspecting and confirming the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex.

RESULTS

Clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex continue to be a principal means of diagnosis. Key changes compared with 1998 criteria are the new inclusion of genetic testing results and reducing diagnostic classes from three (possible, probable, and definite) to two (possible, definite). Additional minor changes to specific criterion were made for additional clarification and simplification.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2012 International Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Diagnostic Criteria provide current, updated means using best available evidence to establish diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in affected individuals.

Cardiac fat-containing lesions are common in tuberous sclerosis complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a highly variable, multisystem, genetic disorder that affects approximately 1:6,000 individuals. It has previously been thought that the cardiac manifestation of TSC is congenital rhabdomyomas, which occur during infancy and typically regress during childhood. Recently, there have been findings of cardiac fat-containing lesions in adult TSC patients that appear distinct from the presence of cardiac rhabdomyomas. We review the chest CT scans of 73 individuals with TSC to check for cardiac fat-containing lesions. Fat-containing lesions were found in the heart of approximately one-third of adolescents and adults with TSC. In this population with cardiac fat-containing lesions, no statistically significant difference was observed between the genders and between the different mutation types. Compared to those without cardiac fat findings, those with cardiac fat were more than twice as likely to have another abdominal manifestation of TSC. The results indicate that it may be appropriate to consider these cardiac fat foci as a clinical criterion for the diagnosis of TSC, given their frequency in our population. Our findings also suggest that a relation exists between the cardiac fat-containing lesions and other abdominal angiomyolipomas. More research regarding these cardiac fat-containing lesions is needed to better characterize their origin and clinical significance.

Cardiac tumors in infants and children: study of 120 operated patients

Cardiac tumors in children are rare, and patient series are limited in size. We report 120 children who underwent surgery to treat a cardiac tumor; the tumor type was known in 108 instances. The patients represented <0.1 % of 130,000 cardiac surgeries performed in children from a multi-institutional data base. The most common tumors and the number of patients were rhabdomyoma (n = 42), myxoma (n = 28), and fibromas (n = 10). The remaining 18 tumors of various types occurred in smaller numbers of patients. Nine patients (7 %) died after surgery. The mean age of death was 14 days, and death was most frequent in patients with fibromas (n = 4). Considering the variety of tumors, their varied location in cardiac structures, the patient ages, and the infrequent occurrence in an individual surgeon's experience, the operative mortality was low.

Cardiac tumours in infancy

Cardiac tumours in infancy are rare and are mostly benign with rhabdomyomas, fibromas and teratomas accounting for the majority. The presentation depends on size and location of the mass as they tend to cause cavity obstruction or arrhythmias. Most rhabdomyomas tend to regress spontaneously but fibromas and teratomas generally require surgical intervention for severe haemodynamic or arrhythmic complications. Other relatively rare cardiac tumours too are discussed along with an Indian perspective.

Congenital giant cardiac tumor with severe left-ventricular inflow and outflow obstruction and arrhythmia treated with pulmonary artery banding and long-term amiodarone infusion

We report a congenital giant cardiac tumor that occupied the majority of left ventricular cavity with severe left ventricular inflow and outflow obstruction. The hemodynamics were similar to univentricular physiology. He was treated with prostaglandins and bilateral pulmonary artery banding. He had frequent supraventricular tachycardia associated with ventricular pre-excitation that was controlled by long-term administration of intravenous amiodarone. The patient died due to sepsis after 3 months.

Everolimus: a challenging drug in the treatment of multifocal inoperable cardiac rhabdomyoma

Primary cardiac tumors are rare in childhood. The most common of these are rhabdomyomas. Considering that rhabdomyomas often show spontaneous regression, close follow-up may be sufficient in hemodynamically stable cases. However, hemodynamically significant cardiac rhabdomyomas confer a risk of morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report a newborn infant with multifocal cardiac rhabdomyomas treated with everolimus. The optimal dose of the drug was 0.25 mg 2 times per day, 2 days per week. Patients with inoperable cardiac rhabdomyomas and with symptoms may be candidates for everolimus treatment.

Asymptomatic fatty changes in the myocardium of a patient with tuberous sclerosis

Rhabdomyomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors in childhood. They usually occur on ventricular and septal walls. In approximately half of the cases, rhabdomyoma is associated with tuberous sclerosis. Most rhabdomyomas regress during the first years of life. We present MRI findings of fatty replacement of the myocardium which was probably after spontaneous regression of solid mass (rhabdomyoma) in a 16-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis.

Hybrid procedure for obstructive neonatal left ventricular tumors

We report the use of the hybrid procedure (bilateral pulmonary artery banding, ductal stenting followed by balloon atrial septostomy) in the first week of life for the treatment of two neonates with large left ventricular fibromas resulting in univentricular physiology. At 6 months of age, second-stage palliation was accomplished and the 2 patients are growing well with normal developmental milestones and no atrial or ventricular ectopy at 30 months. Hybrid strategy offers a less invasive, initial intervention and the options of typical second-stage univentricular palliation, conversion to biventricular physiology in cases of tumor regression, planned surgical resection, or transplantation.

Surgical Management of Unusual Cardiac Tumors in Infants and Children

While most primary tumors of the heart are histologically benign, they are significant space-occupying lesions with serious functional implications for the heart and lungs. Herein, we highlight our experience with the surgical management of selected cardiac tumors in the pediatric population between 2008 and 2010. (1) Intrapericardial teratomas in the fetus can produce fatal tamponade from compression by the attendant pericardial effusion, and a critical life-saving maneuver preoperatively is to drain the effusion prenatally, followed by an expeditious resection after birth. (2) Rhabdomyomas, the most common of the pediatric cardiac tumors, can be intracavitary, large, and associated with the mitral subvalvular apparatus. (3) Cardiac fibromas should be aggressively resected or at least debulked, especially given their propensity for dysrrhythmias. The key to success is as complete a resection as possible, but not at the expense of other normal structures. (4) Complex nonobstructive hypertrophic myopathy can be thought of as a type of neoplastic overgrowth, and aggressive resection of even midcavitary obstructive lesions should be considered as a viable alternative to primary transplantation.

Characterization and Management of Cardiac Tumors

Cardiac tumors are infrequent clinical entities with an autopsy frequency ranging from 0.001% to 0.030%. The occurrence of metastatic cardiac tumors has been reported a 100-fold more commonly than primary lesions. Three quarters of primary cardiac tumors are benign; approximately half of these are cardiac myxomas, and the rest are lipomas, papillary fibroelastomas, and rhabdomyomas. Among malignant primary cardiac tumors, the most reported are those histopathologically considered as undifferentiated, followed by angiosarcomas and leiomyosarcomas. Traditionally, cardiac tumors have been identified as curious autopsy findings resulting in a literature paucity of large clinical series, therefore, providing knowledge mostly based on case report collection. However, recent technological advances in noninvasive imaging modalities such as echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have resulted in a rapid acquisition of real-time heart images with high spatial and temporal resolution and an excellent tissue characterization of the tumor. This consequent earlier, more frequent, and more complete assessment of cardiac tumors before significant symptoms develop has challenged cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, and surgeons to create a tailored referral pattern and approach.

Considerations for prenatal counselling of patients with cardiac rhabdomyomas based on their cardiac and neurologic outcomes

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are benign cardiac tumours with few cardiac complications, but with a known association to tuberous sclerosis that affects the neurologic outcome of the patients. We have analysed the long-term cardiac and neurological outcomes of patients with cardiac rhabdomyomas in order to allow comprehensive prenatal counselling, basing our findings on the records of all patients seen prenatally and postnatally with an echocardiographic diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma encountered from August, 1982, to September, 2007. We analysed factors such as the number and the location of the tumours to establish their association with a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis, predicting the cardiac and neurologic outcomes for the patients.Cardiac complications include arrhythmias, obstruction of the ventricular outflow tracts, and secondary cardiogenic shock. Arrhythmias were encountered most often during the neonatal period, with supraventricular tachycardia being the commonest rhythm disturbance identified. No specific dimension or location of the cardiac rhabdomyomas predicted the disturbances of rhythm.The importance of the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis is exemplified by the neurodevelopmental complications, with four-fifths of the patients showing epilepsy, and two-thirds having delayed development. The presence of multiple cardiac tumours suggested a higher risk of being affected by tuberous sclerosis. The tumours generally regress after birth, and cardiac-related problems are rare after the perinatal period. Tuberous sclerosis and the associated neurodevelopmental complications dominate the clinical picture, and should form an important aspect of the prenatal counselling of parents.

Resection of ventricular rhabdomyomas in infants presenting with cardiac failure

Rhabdomyomas are the most common cardiac tumours in children. They sometimes cause significant obstruction of the ventricular out flow tracts. We report a series of 3 neonates diagnosed antenatally with multiple rhabdomyomas, who developed significant obstruction of the ventricular outflow tracts following birth. They underwent surgical resection in the neonatal period with good outcome. Antenatal diagnosis of obstructive cardiac tumours allows for planning for appropriate early intervention.

Rhabdomyoma of the right atrium: report of a case

Rhabdomyomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors in childhood, and are considered to be congenital lesions. They are uncommon in adolescents and adults due to their tendency for spontaneous regression. Majority of them are located in the ventricular chambers, and are also associated with tuberous sclerosis. The indications for surgery include hemodynamic compromise and intractable arrhythmias. We describe a right atrial rhabdomyoma in a previously healthy 16-year-old girl who presented with palpitation and dizziness of recent onset. Postoperative evaluation had not revealed stigmata of tuberous sclerosis.

CT and MRI of pericardial and cardiac neoplastic disease

This article reviews the pathological classification of cardiac and pericardial neoplasms, the incidence of the various tumor types, and the role of CT and MRI, including their major differences and clinical impact on patient management.

Primary tumors of the heart: experience at the University Hospital of the West Indies

BACKGROUND

An analysis of primary cardiac tumors in the English-speaking Caribbean has never been previously conducted. This paper is an attempt to fill this void.

METHODS

A retrospective review of autopsy and surgical pathology records of the Department of Pathology at the University Hospital of the West Indies was carried out in search of all primary cardiac tumors.

RESULTS

Altogether, 15 patients with primary cardiac tumors were identified. Twelve patients had myxomas, 2 of which were newborn infants. There were 2 cases of fibroma and 1 of rhabdomyoma, also in children. No malignant tumors were identified. Of the 10 adult patients all of whom had myxoma, there were 5 men and 5 women whose ages ranged from 33 to 83 years with a mean of 52 years. Echocardiography was used in making the diagnosis of cardiac tumor in all but one of these cases. All adult patients were symptomatic, with shortness of breath, often accompanied by congestive cardiac failure, being the most common symptom. One patient presented with embolic phenomena.

CONCLUSION

This analysis of the clinicopathologic features of primary cardiac neoplasms represents the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. While the total number of cases was small, there appears to be a disproportionate number of pediatric tumors representing a third of the total. Furthermore, the distribution of tumor types within the pediatric population was dissimilar to that usually seen with only one rhabdomyoma.

Cardiac tumours in children

Cardiac tumours are benign or malignant neoplasms arising primarily in the inner lining, muscle layer, or the surrounding pericardium of the heart. They can be primary or metastatic. Primary cardiac tumours are rare in paediatric practice with a prevalence of 0.0017 to 0.28 in autopsy series. In contrast, the incidence of cardiac tumours during foetal life has been reported to be approximately 0.14%. The vast majority of primary cardiac tumours in children are benign, whilst approximately 10% are malignant. Secondary malignant tumours are 10-20 times more prevalent than primary malignant tumours. Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumour during foetal life and childhood. It accounts for more than 60% of all primary cardiac tumours. The frequency and type of cardiac tumours in adults differ from those in children with 75% being benign and 25% being malignant. Myxomas are the most common primary tumours in adults constituting 40% of benign tumours. Sarcomas make up 75% of malignant cardiac masses. Echocardiography, Computing Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the heart are the main non-invasive diagnostic tools. Cardiac catheterisation is seldom necessary. Tumour biopsy with histological assessment remains the gold standard for confirmation of the diagnosis. Surgical resection of primary cardiac tumours should be considered to relieve symptoms and mechanical obstruction to blood flow. The outcome of surgical resection in symptomatic, non-myxomatous benign cardiac tumours is favourable. Patients with primary cardiac malignancies may benefit from palliative surgery but this approach should not be recommended for patients with metastatic cardiac tumours. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may prolong survival. The prognosis for malignant primary cardiac tumours is generally extremely poor.

Esclerosis tuberosa con rabdomioma del tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo

We report a 2-month old newborn with a family history of adenoma sebaceum, achromic spots and renal lithiasis. Echocardiography-magnetic resonance imaging showed a solitary pediculated rhabdomyoma in the left ventricular outlet tract causing a severe systolic aortic valve obstruction. Surgical excision was carried out through the aortic valve with no valvular lesions. The patient presented multiple seizures 24 hours after surgery with good response to medical therapy. Ten days later, computed tomography showed a spot lesion in the subependimary area in the posterior position of the parietal horn, compatible with a hamartoma associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Left ventricular outflow obstruction in rhabdomyoma of infancy: meta-analysis of the literature

Primary heart tumors are exceptional in infants and children. Most common is the rhabdomyoma, often associated with tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville's disease). This tumor is generally believed to have no hemodynamic effects in the majority of cases. Recently, severe obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract by a solitary tumor was diagnosed during pregnancy and emergency surgery was needed soon after birth.