title: Successful surgical management of ventricular fibromas in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A uniform management strategy has not been established for the treatment of large ventricular fibromas identified in children. The goal of the present study was to review our experience with surgical resection of this uncommon tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of all patients with a diagnosis of ventricular fibromas who had undergone surgical intervention at our institution from July 1990 to June 2013. The clinical records and pathology reports were reviewed and available follow-up data obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 20 patients had a ventricular fibroma. The median age at presentation was 4 years (range, 5 months to 12 years). Of these, 18 (89%) presented with ventricular tachycardia (n = 15) or frequent ectopy (n = 3), and 1 (6%) with outflow tract obstruction; 1 (6%) was asymptomatic and diagnosed during routine evaluation for a murmur. One patient had undergone previous ablation, and one had had an automated internal cardiac defibrillator implanted for ventricular tachycardia control. Before tumor resection at our institution, 1 patient had been listed for transplantation at an outside institution and 1 had undergone previous extracardiac Fontan without tumor resection. All patients underwent successful tumor excision with no recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia during a median follow-up period of 3.3 years (range, 1 month to 14.7 years). One patient underwent planned staged tumor resection. No patient died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary ventricular fibromas, even when very large, can be managed by surgical resection, with excellent short- and intermediate-term ventricular function and relief of arrhythmic events.
authors: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. Electronic address: meena.nathan@cardio.chboston.org.
authors: Meena
authors: M
authors: Nathan
authors: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors: Assunta
authors: A
authors: Fabozzo
authors: Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors: Tal
authors: T
authors: Geva
authors: Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Walsh
authors: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors: Pedro J
authors: PJ
authors: del Nido
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001706:Biopsy; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology