Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with valvular involvement: a case report and review of the literature

Background: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the heart is extremely rare with unpredictable clinical expression. IMTs, characterized by spindle cells, plasma cells, and a polymorphic inflammatory infiltrate, have a predilection for children and young adults. Clinically, IMT mimics malignancy, making a definitive diagnosis difficult, prior to histopathological examination. Methods and results: We describe a case of an intracardiac IMT in a 69-year-old woman. Histopathological examination of excised specimens revealed a marked, polymorphic, infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Conclusions: Cardiac IMTs are benign lesions with favorable prognosis. Herein, we present this case, along with a review of all cardiac IMTs published after the last review in 2002, with emphasis on clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical features. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.