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Intravenous leiomyoma with intracardiac extension causing sudden death
1Department of Pathology, St John Hospital, Detroit, MI.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|December 1, 1987
Summary
A rare intravenous leiomyoma in the renal vein extending to the heart caused syncope in a woman. Postmortem examination revealed this tumor as the cause of her prolonged symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Nephrology
- Oncology
Background:
- Syncope is a common clinical presentation with diverse etiologies.
- Intracardiac tumors are rare causes of syncope, often presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old woman experienced recurrent syncope over three years.
- Initial investigations failed to identify the cause of her symptoms.
Findings:
- Postmortem examination revealed an intravenous leiomyoma originating in the left renal vein.
- The tumor extended through the venous system into the right ventricle of the heart.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare intraluminal venous tumors in the differential diagnosis of unexplained syncope.
- Intravenous leiomyomas, though benign, can have fatal consequences due to cardiac or vascular obstruction.
- A comprehensive review of the literature on intravenous leiomyomas and their clinical manifestations is presented.