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Neonatal intracardiac rhabdomyomatosis: a case report
C S Choong1, K L Liew, M J Tsai
1Department of Pediatrics, Jen-Ai General Hospital, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC.
Insights
Neonatal rhabdomyomas, rare heart tumors in infants, can cause severe heart issues. This case highlights successful surgical resection of diffuse cardiac rhabdomyomatosis in a newborn presenting with heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Oncology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Intracardiac tumors are rare in neonates, with rhabdomyomas being the most common type, primarily affecting infants.
- Rhabdomyomas are frequently associated with tuberous sclerosis and can involve multiple organs, often originating from the ventricular septum.
Observation:
- A newborn presented with diffuse cardiac rhabdomyomatosis affecting the right and left ventricles.
- The infant experienced complications of congestive heart failure and intractable supraventricular tachycardia.
Findings:
- Unlike typical cases, this infant showed no signs of tuberous sclerosis or other organ involvement.
- Surgical resection of the cardiac rhabdomyoma was successfully performed.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering surgical intervention for symptomatic neonatal cardiac rhabdomyomas, even in the absence of systemic associations.
- Successful tumor resection can alleviate mechanical obstruction and arrhythmias, improving outcomes for affected neonates.
- Further research into the specific mechanisms and management of isolated neonatal cardiac rhabdomyomas is warranted.
Abstract:
Intracardiac tumors are rare in neonates. Most of these lesions are rhabdomyomas and they occur almost exclusively during infancy. Rhabdomyomas are commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis and often involve the brain, kidneys and pancreas; they are frequently multiple and originate most commonly from the ventricular septum. Surgical intervention is indicated for rhabdomyoma with either mechanical cardiac obstruction or dysrhythmias resulting in symptoms or sudden death. A newborn with diffuse rhabdomyomatosis over the right atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle of the heart complicated with congestive heart failure and intractable supraventricular tachycardia is reported herein. No tuberous sclerosis or other organ involvement was noted. The tumor was resected.