The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 32, 406-410, Copyright © 1981 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Myocardial fibroma or fibrous hamartoma
TR Calhoun, EE Terry, EB Best and TR Sunbury
Early interest in myocardial tumors was directed primarily at their
pathology. Today, however, interest must be in early diagnosis and planned
operation utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass since such tumours, both benign
and malignant, are potentially lethal due to their location and since most
are resectable. The case of a patient with myocardial fibroma presented
here offers an expanded pathological picture: the tumor contained fibrous
tissue, cardiac muscle, vascular elements, adipose tissue, and smooth
muscle. Smooth muscle has not been previously reported. A review of the
literature reveals disagreement and confusion over proper nomenclature for
the entity. Perhaps its varied histological presentation is better
described as fibrous hamartoma than fibroma.