Giant Tumor of the Right Atrium in Infancy

Abstract

Cardiac hemangiomas can occur at any age, but they are extremely rare when they occur early after birth. We describe the case of a 5-month-old infant who had a giant right atrial capillary hemangioma associated with massive pericardial effusion. The tumor was incidentally diagnosed during routine clinical follow-up. The hemangioma was removed successfully under cardiopulmonary bypass, and the patient's postoperative course was uneventful. The occurrence of giant capillary hemangioma in infancy represents an unusual event in the relevant literature. Herein, we discuss the clinical features and surgical management of this rare primary tumor of infancy. (Ann Thorac Surg 2011;92:737-40) (C) 2011 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons