[Importance of transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography in the differential diagnosis of a case of papillary fibroelastoma revealed by a neurologic accident]

Abstract

In the light of a new case revealed by a stroke, the authors confirm the importance of transesophagal echocardiography (TEE), and show that multislide computered tomography can be used as a new efficient tool for the diagnosis of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF). These benign tumours of endocardium are rare and case reports have been published sporadically. Stroke is an usual clinical complication and the most frequent symptom associated with CPF. Transesophageal echocardiography is the reference for diagnosis of CPF when transthoracic echocardiography is normal. When TEE is contraindicated or technically impossible, multislide computered tomography appears as an interesting alternate solution for diagnosis because of its fast acquisition and high spatial resolution. Symptomatology may be connected to either tumoral embolisation or cruoric emboli. Surgery is required for any symptomatic tumour.