Tumor of the heart in a young woman; a rare manifestation of Wegener granulomatosis

Hum Pathol. 2012 Feb;43(2):289-92. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2011.04.020. Epub 2011 Jul 30.

Abstract

Wegener granulomatosis may rarely present with tumor masses that are in areas not typically involved by the disease. Although some cases have an associated positive anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies, other cases do not, especially those of the limited form. To prevent misdiagnosis and ensure prompt treatment, it is extremely important to consider Wegener granulomatosis even in cases without the classic clinical findings. We report a case of a 19-year-old woman with no prior significant medical history who presented with persistent ventricular tachycardia and a papillary muscle mass in her left ventricle which upon excision and tissue evaluation demonstrated histologic changes of Wegener granulomatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Granuloma / metabolism
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnosis*
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / metabolism
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / physiopathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Heart Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Papillary Muscles / metabolism
  • Papillary Muscles / pathology
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / diagnosis
  • Tachycardia, Ventricular / physiopathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers