Pathology
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Fetopathology and developmental pathology of the embryo and fetus
Marta Ježová, Josef Feit et al.
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Congenital cardiac rhabdomyoma
Introduction

Rhabdomyoma is the most common pediatric tumor arising in the heart. It is commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Clinical signs
  • bening hamartomatous neoplasm
  • occurs in fetus and neonate
  • tend to regress spontaneously after birth
  • frequent in patients with tuberous sclerosis (50 – 85%)
  • patiens are usually asymptomatic
  • complications with multiple large tumors:
    • fetal hydrops
    • conduction abnormalities
    • outflow obstruction
    • congestive heart failure
    • sudden death
Macroscopic appearance
  • single or commonly multiple
  • firm pale mass
  • arising anywhere within the myocardium

Cardiac rhabdomyoma (74000)

Cardiac rhabdomyoma (74001)

Histology

Sharply circumscribed but unencapsulated nodule with characteristic spider cells. These are quite large vacuolated cells rich in glykogen with central nucleus and cytoplasmic strands extending to the plasma membrane.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma, spider cells (74038)