Left ventricular rhabdomyoma. A case report

Background. Cardiac tumours in infancy are rare, with a predominant incidence of rhabdomyoma. Diagnosis can best be obtained by pre-cordial and transoesophageal echocardiography. Because of the tendency for spontaneous regression conservative therapy is generally recommended. A rare indication for surgical treatment is described. Methods. Experimental design: case report. Setting: Pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery in a university hospital. Patient: a case of a rhabdomyoma of the left ventricle is described which was attached to the left ventricular outflow tract and the left coronary cusp of the aortic valve, causing outflow obstruction of the left ventricle. Intervention: the tumour was removed surgically using cardiopulmonary bypass. Measure: achievement of relief of left ventricular outflow obstruction. Results. Immediate and complete relief of the left ventricular outflow tract was achieved with preservation of the aortic valve. The patient recovered well. Conclusions. Cardiac rhabdomyomas can usually be treated conservatively. Surgical therapy can be successfully applied when rhabdomyoma results in hemodynamic problems or arthythmias.