A rare pediatric cardiac papillary fibroelastoma: a case report
By
Jiayi Lin
Erjia Huang
Wei Li
Yuanyu Zhou
Xiaoqing Wu
Weijian Chen
Wei Su
Xicheng Deng
May 20, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: An Uncommon Case of Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Clinical Report
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastoma (PFE) Key Mechanisms Benign cardiac tumor primarily occurring on cardiac valves, particularly the tricuspid valve in this case. Target Population Pediatric patients, specifically those with incidental cardiac murmurs. Care Setting Pediatric cardiology and surgical intervention.
Key Highlights
Rare occurrence of large (>30 mm) mobile right-sided PFEs in asymptomatic children. Surgical excision with tricuspid valvuloplasty was performed due to embolization risk. Histopathological confirmation is necessary following surgical excision. Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool for visualizing cardiac tumors. Patient recovered uneventfully with preserved valve function. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize echocardiography for initial assessment of cardiac masses. Consider differential diagnosis including thrombus and vegetations. Management
Surgical excision is recommended for large, mobile PFEs to prevent embolic complications. Tricuspid valvuloplasty may be necessary to maintain valve function post-excision. Monitoring & Follow-up
Follow-up with serial echocardiography to assess for recurrence and valve function. Risks
Embolization risk associated with mobile cardiac masses. Patient & Prescribing Data
Pediatric patients with incidental cardiac findings.
Early surgical intervention is crucial for large, mobile PFEs even in asymptomatic cases.
Clinical Best Practices
Systematic evaluation of incidentally detected heart murmurs in children. Proactive diagnostic approaches to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Related Resources & Content
