A rare case of cardiac tumor in a child

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Pediatric cardiac tumors are uncommon and typically benign.
• Infectious causes, particularly tuberculosis (TB) of the myocardium, are exceptionally rare.
• Myocardial TB can present as infiltrative cardiac masses, mimicking tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of pediatric cardiac tuberculosis presenting as myocardial masses.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of advanced cardiac imaging in such cases.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of anti-tubercular therapy in achieving complete remission.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 15-month-old girl with symptoms of cardiac failure.
• Echocardiography revealed multiple infiltrative myocardial masses.
• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was utilized for detailed tissue characterization.
• A therapeutic trial of anti-tubercular drugs was initiated based on clinical suspicion.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography and Cardiac MRI confirmed the presence of multiple infiltrative myocardial masses.
• The patient showed significant clinical improvement following the initiation of anti-tubercular therapy.
• Complete remission of symptoms and disappearance of cardiac masses were observed.

Conclusions:

• Tuberculosis can present as infiltrative myocardial masses in children, mimicking cardiac tumors.
• Cardiac MRI is valuable for delineating myocardial lesions in suspected infectious etiologies.
• Anti-tubercular treatment is effective in managing pediatric myocardial tuberculosis, leading to complete recovery.