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A rare pediatric cardiac papillary fibroelastoma: a case report
Jiayi Lin1, Erjia Huang2, Wei Li3
1Heart Center, The Affiliated Children's Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Insights
Large, mobile cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are rare in children. This case highlights surgical excision and tricuspid valve repair for a large right-sided PFE in an asymptomatic child, preventing embolic complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare cardiac tumor, particularly large, mobile, and right-sided PFEs in pediatric populations.
- Pediatric cardiac masses can be incidental findings, necessitating accurate diagnosis and risk assessment.
Abstract:
Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is rare in children, and large (>30 mm), mobile, right-sided PFEs are exceptionally uncommon. This report describes a 7-year-and-6-month-old patient who presented with upper respiratory tract infection and an incidental cardiac murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a 30 × 25 × 21 mm pedunculated, mobile mass on the anterior tricuspid valve leaflet. Differential diagnosis included thrombus, vegetation, and other cardiac tumors. Surgical excision with tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed due to embolization risk. Gross examination showed a cauliflower-like mass. The patient recovered uneventfully with preserved valve function. This case demonstrates that large, mobile right-sided PFEs can occur in asymptomatic children, and early surgical intervention with valve preservation is recommended to prevent embolic complications.
