Cardiac rhabdomyoma with long-term conduction abnormality: progression from pre-excitation to bundle branch block and finally complete heart block.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac rhabdomyoma, a benign smooth muscle hamartoma, is the commonest heart tumor encountered in children. Arrhythmias and conduction disorders have been described with these tumors, although most electrocardiographic abnormalities will resolve over time, concomitant with the resolution of the tumor.


METHODS
The case of a child, diagnosed with cardiac rhabdomyomas in fetal life, is reported in whom the tumors regressed in size over a four-year period whilst displaying a spectrum of conduction disturbances. He finally developed potentially lethal complete heart block.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac rhabdomyomas may be asymptomatic, cause hemodynamic compromise, or be associated with rhythm disorders. In the presence of conduction disorders, close monitoring is required with regular electrocardiograms to detect potential lethal conduction disorders.
De Wilde
Hans
H
Department of Pediatric cardiology, Academic Hospital AZ-VUB, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
Benatar
Avram
A
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011226:Pre-Excitation Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012207:Rhabdomyoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal