[The complete regression of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas in childhood]

Abstract

Rhabdomyoma, even if rare, is the most common primary cardiac tumor in infancy and childhood. We present the case of a newborn in whom several intramural and intracavitary cardiac masses were found at birth by two-dimensional echocardiography, and showed complete regression at the follow-up examinations. Except for supraventricular arrhythmias, there were no symptoms or signs of cardiac involvement at birth: the baby was acyanotic and is no apparent distress; no murmur was detected and chest roentgenogram revealed normal heart size; association with Tuberous Sclerosis was excluded. Despite major anatomical cardiac anomaly, neither in-flow nor out-flow tract obstruction was found by Doppler investigation and therefore a noninterventional approach was preferred. At the two-year follow-up control the baby was asymptomatic and the echocardiogram revealed complete regression of cardiac tumors. Our report confirms the possible favourable outcome of Rhabdomyoma and the utility of echocardiography in these patients' follow-up.