Intracardiac Teratoma in an Infant: Report of a New Case and Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Primitive intracardiac tumors are exceptionally rare in children, often diagnosed post-mortem.
• Intracardiac teratomas represent the rarest form of these childhood tumors.

Observation:

• An 11-month-old infant presented with persistent bronchoalveolitis and thoracic deformation since 3 months of age.
• Physical examination revealed subtle respiratory distress, and chest radiography demonstrated significant mediastinal enlargement.
• Computed tomography identified a complex mass with cystic, solid, and calcified components, strongly indicative of an intracardiac teratoma.

Findings:

• Surgical excision of the intracardiac mass was successfully performed.
• Histopathological examination confirmed a mature, well-differentiated teratoma containing elements from all three germ layers.
• No immunohistochemical support was required for diagnosis.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering rare intracardiac tumors in infants with unexplained respiratory symptoms and mediastinal masses.
• Early diagnosis and radical surgical resection are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric intracardiac teratomas.
• The successful management of this rare condition contributes to the understanding of pediatric cardiovascular oncology.