Cardiac Rhabdomyoma in a Neonate: Application of Serial Echocardiography

Abstract

Primary cardiac neoplasms are rare. Rhabdomyoma is the most common benign congenital tumor found in infancy and has a tendency for spontaneous regression. We report a case of a cardiac rhabdomyoma in a symptomatic neonate in whom serial echocardiography was used for diagnosis and documentation of initial regression as early as 1 month.

Oral Everolimus for Treatment of a Giant Left Ventricular Rhabdomyoma in a Neonate—Rapid Tumor Regression Documented by Real Time 3D Echocardiography

“…They are benign and most commonly present in neonates with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a multisystem genetic neurocutaneous disorder . Usually, RHMs regress in size and number after birth and a watch and wait strategy is sufficient in the majority of patients . Specific therapy or cardiac surgery is only indicated in tumors leading to hemodynamic instability.…”

“…1 Usually, RHMs regress in size and number after birth and a watch and wait strategy is sufficient in the majority of patients. 2 Specific therapy or cardiac surgery is only indicated in tumors leading to hemodynamic instability. Within the last years, mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitors such as sirolimus and everolimus have been introduced into the pharmacotherapy of TSC-related CNS (subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, SEGA) and renal tumors (angiomyolipoma, AML).…”

Neonatal infective endocarditis in a cardiac rhabdomyoma case: A rare presentation

“…Cardiac rhabdomyoma is an extremely rare childhood tumor [14]. Infant cardiac tumors are determined by postmortem which are not possible in resource-limited areas [15]. The tumor has different clinical presentations and surgery was done in hemodynamically unstable conditions [2].…”

“…Because of changing and unstable nature of this tumor, the clinical presentation is not constant and also prognosis is varied except association of cardiac failure. According to Durairaj et al, 85% of cases had documented spontaneous regression with a good prognosis [15].…”