A Solitary Fetal Cardiac Rhabdomyoma: A Hemodynamically Unstable Left Ventricular Tumor with Autopsy and Histopathology Findings

Abstract

Fetal primary cardiac tumors are rare, but they may cause complications which are sometimes life threatening, including arrhythmias, hydrops fetalis, ventricular outflow/inflow obstruction, cardiac failure, and even sudden death in utero. Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor in fetuses and is usually diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy. It has a benign course in the majority of cases and is often associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. We report a rare solitary large left ventricular tumor, rhabdomyoma with pericardial effusion, causing unstable hemodynamics and threatening intrauterine life with impending nonimmune hydrops. This was confirmed and further described with autopsy and histopathology findings.

Keywords

Left ventricular tumor - Rhabdomyoma - Solitary benign tumor

Publication History

Received: 11 October 2020

Accepted: 22 March 2021

Article published online:
05 May 2023