International Medical Case Reports Journal (Feb 2023)
Isolated Asymptomatic Fetal Intracardiac Mass: A Case of Rhabdomyoma
Abstract
Tadesse Gure Eticha,1 Roba Ararso,1 Semir Sultan,1 Kiros Terefe,2 Solomon Wubneh Berhe,2 Temesgen Tsega,3 Yeshiwas Abebe,2 Chernet Baye2 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Saint Paul Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Tadesse Gure Eticha, Tel: +251913868714, Email [email protected]: Fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma is one of the rare benign cardiac masses which is commonly associated with the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Though mostly fetal cardiac rhabdomyoma is asymptomatic it may lead to life-threatening conditions like outflow obstruction, arrhythmias, hydrops fetalis, or sudden fetal death.Case Report: We are reporting an isolated, asymptomatic fetal intra-cardiac mass (rhabdomyoma) that was discovered at 32 weeks of gestation and was followed as an outpatient until 39 weeks plus one day, at which point a cesarean section was performed. After delivery, the child underwent evaluations at the 1st day, 7th day, 30th day, 7th month, and 12th month of age. Following a checkup, the child’s anthropometric and neurobehavioral growth were both healthy. Except for the tumor, which was neither growing nor shrinking in size, none of the clinical diagnostic criteria for tuberous sclerosis complex were met for this child up to the age of one year.Conclusion: The most common primary benign fetal cardiac tumor is cardiac rhabdomyoma, which is usually associated with tuberous sclerosis. In developing nations where it is challenging to obtain MRIs and genetic studies, and in a similar patient like ours with no other features of tuberous sclerosis, the child needs to be followed in the future, bearing in mind that tuberous sclerosis manifestations will continue to develop over a patient’s lifetime.Keywords: cardiac, rhabdomyoma, tumor, fetal, tuberous sclerosis, case report, Harar, Ethiopia
