A rare inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor appearing both inside and outside the heart

BackgroundInflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon cardiac tumor that primarily affects infants, children, and young adults. While complete surgical resection generally leads to a favorable prognosis, accurate diagnostic tests remain limited.Case presentationWe describe the case of a 26-year-old female who had a dual tumor inside and outside the heart and was misdiagnosed by echocardiography and MRI. We also review 71 cases of cardiac IMTs from the literature regarding their epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcome.ConclusionEarly detection of this rare disorder is essential for optimal surgical management.