MYXOMA OF THE PULMONARY INFUNDIBULA AS THE CAUSE OF SUDDEN-DEATH IN AN 18-MONTH-OLD GIRL

Background. Myxoma, a benign cardiac tumor, develops in intracavitary locations. It is most frequent in the left atrium, but rare in the pul monary infundibulum. Case report. An 18 month-old girl suddenly became cyanotic during playing and lost consciousness. Resuscitation was ine ffective. Post-mortem examination showed diffuse pulmonary edema and m ultiple small pulmonary emboli. There was a myxoma of the septal wall of pulmonary infundibulum and histological examination showed that the infundibulum and the pulmonary valve were completely infiltrated by m yxoid tissue. Conclusion. The death of this girl was probably due to a sudden embolism of blood clots developed in contact with the myxoma. This case emphasizes the need for pathologic investigation in all case s of sudden death.