[Cardiac metastasis of melanoma disclosed by tamponade]

Melanoma is the most frequent cause of neoplastic metastasis to the heart. The diagnosis is however usually made after the patient's death as clinical signs are discrete, non-specific or masked by other visceral metastases.

A 50-year-old man who was given chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma limited to the mediastinal lymph nodes suddenly developed acute dyspnea due to cardiac tamponnade. Puncture biopsy of the pericardium revealed melanoma cells and nodular infiltration of the pericardium. A pleuro-percardial window gave functional relief. The patient died 5 months later due to a recurrent episode of cardiac tamponnade.

The diagnosis of metastasis to the heart of a malignant melanoma may be suspected in patients developing heart failure, rhythm or conduction disorders or pericardial effusion. The diagnosis can usually be confirmed with transthoracic sonography. Endocavitary or transmural tumors may require transesophageal echography or magnetic resonance imaging before surgery to determine extension and myocardial infiltration. Despite the severe prognosis, in case of immediate life-threatening emergencies or isolated cardiac metastases, a surgical treatment may be considered.