Resection of intracardiac leiomyoma originating from the inferior vena cava through a single median sternotomy incision using a silk suture snare technique: a case report

BACKGROUND: Intracardiac leiomyoma is a rare benign right heart tumor that usually extends from the intravenous system. The patient often has a history of uterine leiomyoma. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 46-year-old female patient who presented to us with exertional dyspnea, chest tightness, and shortness of breath for two weeks and had a history of uterine leiomyoma resection. Echocardiography showed a pedunculated solid mass in the right heart with the pedicle attached to the inferior vena cava. The surgery was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass established through the femoral artery and vein with a probable diagnosis of leiomyoma. The tumor was removed by ingenious surgical technique: a snare made of silk suture in which the tumor’s pedicle was trapped, and the tumor with its pedicle was carefully removed with the help of a scalpel along the silk suture. The histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of intravenous leiomyoma. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged a week later. CONCLUSION: Intracardiac leiomyoma is a rare benign smooth muscle tumor. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment with different surgical approaches available. It is possible to completely remove cardiac leiomyomas through sternotomy without the need for an abdominal incision if the leiomyoma is originated in the inferior vena cava not far from the right atrium.