Introduction: Masses inside the heart can cause serious and life-threatening effects to the cardiovascular system, mainly because of hemodynamic obstruction of the blood flow, either in the heart cavities themselves or remotely due to embolization. In this paper, we report a case of left ventricular tumor mass which presented with neurological symptoms due to multiple brain embolism.
Case report: A 35-year-old female patient presented with right hemiparesis and dysarthria. Seven days prior to admission she had elevated body temperature and started taking antibiotics. Inflammatory markers were not elevated, and blood cultures were negative. Computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed multiple acute ischemic lesions. Echocardiography showed the presence of a lobular mass inside the left ventricle, which was attached to the basal segment of the lateral left ventricular wall. Based on the laboratory results and additional heart imaging (CT and MRI) the mass was primarily suspected to be a tumor. It was surgically removed. Microscopic analysis of the removed tissue revealed a non-specific endocardial inflammation with formed fresh fibrin thrombi on the surface. During the postoperative recovery intense physical rehabilitation was being performed, so the initial neurological deficit was completely withdrawn.
Conclusion: Intracardiac masses can cause serious and potentially fatal complications that often present with dramatic clinical symptoms. Despite the comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and imaging investigations, intracardiac masses can be hard to distinguish until the definite microscopic analysis. However, with the right approach and multidisciplinary collaboration, they can be successfully managed.
Keywords: Heart tumor; blood culture-negative endocarditis; brain embolism; left ventricular mass; mural endocarditis; stroke.