A Unique Case of a Gigantic Left Ventricular Myxoma Resulting in Embolic Acute Lower Limb Ischemia in a Pediatric Patient

Abstract

Background: The presence of a primary cardiac tumor in a pediatric patient is a rare echocardiographic finding. Case Report: We report the case of an 11-year-old female patient with multiple peripheral embolisms, due to a gigantic left ventricular tumor, with a unique echocardiographic appearance. The patient was referred to the emergency department due to acute pain and loss of sensitivity in both of her legs. Past medical history was significant for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Upon physical examination, suspicion of bilateral lower leg ischemia was raised. Doppler arterial ultrasound of both legs confirmed the suspicion mentioned above, as the right lower extremity suffered from partial arterial occlusion of the external iliac artery and total occlusion of the femoral arteries. Meanwhile, in the left lower extremity, the occlusion was localized in the proximal tibio-peroneal artery. Cardiac sonography revealed a massive, mobile, left ventricular intracavitary mass. Aside from its large dimensions (6.3 cm by 3 cm), its aspect was striking as well as it had very mobile and friable edges. Emergency bilateral endarterectomy and excision of the left ventricular tumor were performed alongside systemic anticoagulant therapy, with excellent results, as no tumoral residual masses could be seen in the left ventricle, and the arterial blood flow was restored completely in both lower extremities. The histopathological aspect of the excised masses was that of a myxoma. The patient recovered well after surgery and was discharged on postoperative day 14. Conclusion: Despite only a handful of cases of cardiac myxomas being reported due to their rarity in the pediatric population, clinical presentation with peripheric embolism triggered a high index of suspicion of embolic mechanism in our patient and prompted a rapid assessment and successful management.