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Right atrial myxoma in a child
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|July 1, 1977
Summary
A rare pediatric right atrial myxoma mimicked chronic myocarditis in a 12-year-old girl. Surgical removal of the tumor resolved her symptoms, highlighting the importance of considering myxoma in pediatric heart failure cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- A 12-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of chronic myocarditis, including fatigability, dyspnea, and chronic congestive heart failure.
- The patient underwent 16 months of medical management for presumed myocarditis without significant improvement.
Observation:
- Cardiac catheterization and angiography were performed to investigate potential constrictive pericarditis.
- These diagnostic procedures unexpectedly revealed a right atrial myxoma, a rare cardiac tumor in children.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the right atrial myxoma was performed.
- Following the successful removal of the tumor, the patient became completely asymptomatic.
Implications:
- Right atrial myxoma is an uncommon pediatric diagnosis that can present with symptoms mimicking other cardiac conditions.
- A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing pediatric atrial myxoma, especially when symptoms are atypical or unresponsive to standard treatment.
- This case underscores the importance of comprehensive cardiac evaluation to rule out rare etiologies in pediatric heart failure.