[Myxoma of the mitral valve in a child. Apropos of an operated case]

Abstract

The case of an 8 year old child with a symtomless murmur of mitral incompetence is reported. Echocardiography showed the presence of an intracardiac tumour, a mass of dense echos between the two mitral leaflets being recorded; multiscan examination suggested insertion on the anterior mitral leaflet. The tumour and its pedicle were resected, causing some loss of valvular tissue, which required repair with a strip of pericardium. This would appear to be the first reported case of mitral valve myxoma in children. Left atrial myxoma, the commonest cardiac tumour, is rarely observed before 15 years of age; insertion on the mitral valve itself is rare at any age. The site of insertion is determined by quite separate echocardiographic criteria compared to left atrial myxoma. This is important as surgery may sacrifice the mitral valve, and mitral valve replacement may be needed; valvuloplasty should be attempted in this age group, despite the risk of tumour recurrence, which is porbably greater with this unusual location.