RIGHT-VENTRICULAR FIBROMA PRESENTING AS TRICUSPID STENOSIS - A CASE-REPORT

A male child presented with suspicion of tricuspid stenosis. Echocardi ography revealed the presence of a mass arising from the free wall of the right ventricle and causing right-ventricular inflow obstruction b ut not involving the tricuspid valve. The tumour was excised via right ventriculotomy using cardiopulmonary bypass. resulting in survival an d a satisfactory clinical course. Histological examination showed the tumour to be a fibroma. Tricuspid stenosis is do unusual presentation of right ventricular fibroma. Careful examination is essential to earl y diagnosis of cardiac fibromas, particularly in children with unexpla ined cardiac problems. Echocardiography is still a good method for con firmation of the diagnosis and for follow-up. In view of the unknown n atural history of cardiac fibroma, surgical excision should be underta ken. Early detection and prompt excision results in immediate and comp lete relief of symptoms and prolongs the life span.