[Right atrial fibroma simulating cyanotic cardiac vitium in a newborn (author's transl)]

The clinical picture in a cyanotic newborn suggests pulmonary atresia or tricuspid atresia. Angiocardiography shows a right atrial tumor, at necropsy a ping-pong-ball sized fibroma is found. Hypoxia and congestive heart failure occurred and the baby died on his eleventh day of life. Uncertain cardiac symptomatology should always raise the suspicion of a cardiac tumor. Cardiac tumors with predominant intramural growth can show pure cardiomegaly- and/or cardiac arrhythmias, congestive failure, while intracavitary growth may lead to various kinds of in- and outflow obstruction and/or embolisations.