A rare cause of left ventricular outflow tract mass in infancy: Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Cardiac Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary cardiac tumors are infrequent causes of intracardiac masses in pediatric patients.
• Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPFs) are benign tumors typically affecting the valvular endocardium.
• Clinical presentation of CPFs depends on the affected cardiac structure and tumor specifics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of CPF in an infant.
• To emphasize the importance of considering CPF in the differential diagnosis of pediatric intracardiac masses.
• To highlight the presentation of CPF as an asymptomatic left ventricular outflow tract mass.

Main Methods:

• Case report of an infant diagnosed with cardiac papillary fibroelastoma.
• Clinical and echocardiographic evaluation.
• Review of relevant literature on pediatric cardiac tumors and CPFs.

Main Results:

• An infant presented with an asymptomatic mass in the left ventricular outflow tract.
• The mass was diagnosed as a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma.
• This represents a rare occurrence of CPF in the pediatric population.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare but important considerations for intracardiac masses in children.
• Awareness of CPF is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management in pediatric patients.
• This case underscores the varied presentations of benign cardiac tumors in infants.