The Importance of Imaging Multimodality in the Diagnosis of a Rare Case of Papillary Fibroelastoma in the Left Ventricular Apex

Introduction

Papillary fibroelastoma (PF) is a rare, benign primary cardiac neoplasm, initially described as an incidental finding in autopsies or surgeries, and ranks third among the most common cardiac tumors. It mainly affects the heart valves, accounting for 75% of all tumors in this region and is often diagnosed incidentally.

Its clinical presentation can vary widely, ranging from asymptomatic cases to situations in which systemic embolization occurs, caused by adherent thrombi as well as by fragmentation of the tumor itself. Currently, PF is no longer a tumor diagnosed only in autopsies and can now detected with new cardiovascular imaging modalities, thus enabling early treatment and preventing complications.

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