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Introduction

Leiomyoma is a benign tumor of uterus which is made of smooth muscle cells proliferation [1]. This tumour is usually localized in the uterus but as a rare condition it could proliferate and extend via intravenous root and invade the heart via inferior Vena Cava (IVC) [2]. Here we want to present a case of Intravenous leiomyomatosis who presented to our hospital with dyspnea and leg edema.

Case Presentation

A 50-year-old lady without any remarkable past medical history presented to our hospital with complaint of shortness of breath and intermittent lower limb edema in the past 2 months ago, she had familial history of metastatic peritoneal cancer with unknown origin in her mother, at presentation her vital signs and hemodynamics were stable. As primary evaluation chest X-ray and trans-thoracic echocardiography (Figure 1) was done which showed normal Left Ventricle (LV) size and systolic function(LVEF:55%), mild Right Ventricle (RV) enlargement and dysfunction, normal Left Atrium (LA) size, severe Right Atrium (RA) enlargement, mild Mitral Regurgitation (MR), mild Pulmonary Insufficiency (PI), Normal Tri-cuspid Valve, with at least moderate Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) (TR Gradient: 20 mmHg), SPAP: 35 mmHg, Increased Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) size with No collapse, turbulent flow was seen in ostium of IVC with no significant gradient. So the patient underwent Trans-Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE) (Figure 2). Which showed large mobile and well differentiated RA mass (7.8cm x 3.5cm) originated from IVC with multiple mobile particles on it, that some of them were calcified, and another mass was seen on anterior leaflet of Tri-Cuspid Valve (1 x 0.8 cm) with no significant Tri-Cuspid Stenosis (TS). In this stage two differential diagnosis was made: a metastasis to the heart or thrombosis; so Intra-Venous (IV) heparin infusion started and so search for origin of possible metastasis. In abdomino-pelvic sonography, a heterogenous isoechoic mass measured 16 x 10 mm of uterine origin with right adnexa involvement is involved suggestive for sarcoma, accompanied tumour-thrombosis extending from right ovarian vein to IVC and eventually to the right atrium was reported. Therefore, uterine mass biopsy performed which pathology reported submucosal leiomyoma; and also, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) (Figure 3).

Figure 1: Trans-thoracic echocardiography; the right image shows the mass in right atrium of the heart and the left image shows the mass in inferior Vena cava.

Figure 2: Trans-esophageal echocardiography of the mass in the heart.

Figure 3: Cardiac MRI of the mass in the heart.

Figure 4: MRI of the mass in the inferior Vena cava.

Imaging performed which showed RA enlargement, Severe TR (Regurgitation Fraction > 30%), no myocardial edema or scar, bulky large mass in IVC (Figure 4). originated from right gonadal vein with extension to RA (bulk of tumour 79 x 38 mm) with partially perfusion, all suggestive for tumour or thrombosis originated from pelvic, other possibility as intra-vascular extension of uterine leiomyoma could be considered as differential diagnosis. The patient underwent simultaneous laparotomy and thoracotomy for total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and cardiac mass resection and the mass sent for pathology which reported leiomyomatosis; after 6 months another CMR performed which showed no residual mass and the patient is under follow-up.

Discussion

Leiomyoma is a primary tumour of uterus, and is consistent of smooth muscle cells proliferation which rarely could extent via uterine or adnexal veins to IVC and make intra-vascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) and intra-cardiac leiomyomatosis (ICL) [3]. The main treatment is radical excision and follow up in 6 months and then 2-5 years later is strongly recommended [4]. There is multiple imaging modality to diagnose and follow up ICL like echocardiography, enhanced CT and MRI which can demonstrate anatomy and physiology of the heart and so the mass [5].

Invasion from Uterus to Heart Download PDF

Journal Name : SunText Review of Case Reports & Images

Abstract

Introduction

Case Presentation

Discussion

Disclosure

Funding

References