The usefulness of Doppler echocardiography in the management of rhabdomyoma diagnosed prenatally.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma diagnosed prenatally by cross-sectional echocardiography was confirmed after birth by Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in a baby with tuberous sclerosis. Doppler echocardiographic follow-up after 2 years revealed regression of tumour masses and concomitant disappearance of pulmonary regurgitation which was caused by the large tumour mass in the right ventricular outflow tract. In spite of a sizeable mass protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract, repeated Doppler examination failed to demonstrate any significant obstruction, thus avoiding repeated catheterizations and unnecessary surgery. Doppler examination of ventricular inflow revealed normal filling characteristics. Doppler and cross-sectional echocardiography was of great value in the management of this patient.