Recurrence of a Thymic Carcinoid Tumour 15 Years After Resection With Multiple Myopericardial Cardiac Metastases: The Role of Multimodality Imaging

Can J Cardiol. 2016 Dec;32(12):1577.e15-1577.e17. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.06.008. Epub 2016 Jun 23.

Abstract

Carcinoid tumours arising from the thymus are exceedingly rare, and cardiac metastases have not previously been described in the setting of a primary thymic carcinoid tumour. We present a patient with recurrence of a carcinoid tumour initially resected from the thymus 15 years earlier, with multiple cardiac metastases. These metastatic tumours were visualized using multiple imaging modalities, including computed tomography, transthoracic echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging, and octreotide scan. A subsequent biopsy confirmed recurrence of his carcinoid tumour. This case highlights the role of multimodality imaging for diagnosis and the need for continued long-term surveillance in these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage
  • Carcinoid Tumor* / pathology
  • Carcinoid Tumor* / surgery
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Heart Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Humans
  • Long Term Adverse Effects / diagnosis
  • Long Term Adverse Effects / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / pathology
  • Radiotherapy / methods
  • Thymectomy / adverse effects*
  • Thymectomy / methods
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Dexamethasone