Cardiac teratoma
is a benign germ cell neoplasm.
Intrapericardial
teratoma is a life-threatening lesion. Excision brings
immediate relief of symptoms.
REPORTING OF CARDIAC TUMOURS
Age:
The tumour
typically affects infants and children.
Site: Teratomas are
usually, intrapericardial tumours attached to the root of the aorta and pulmonary trunk, but may appear as intracardiac mass.
Pericardial teratomas are usually right-sided masses.
Rarely, the tumour can be intramyocardial.
pericardial
disease
Clinical presentation:
Cardiac enlargement is the
dominant feature, often accompanied by signs and symptoms of cardiac
compression. The tumours may grow rapidly to a large size involving the
entire mediastinum.
Gross:
The tumours can be very large and are almost always
associated with a pericardial effusion . Cut sections of
these tumors are usually multicystic.
Microscopic
features:
Cardiac teratomas display features similar to benign
extrapericardial teratomas. The tumour contain derivatives of all
three germ layers, with mature endodermal, mesodermal, and
ectodermal elements. Neuroglia, cartilage, skeletal muscle,
liver, intestine, pancreas, and glandular tissue are often
identified in the tumour. |
