SYMMETRICAL ADRENAL NEUROBLASTOMA METASTASIZING TO THE RIGHT AURICLE

The antemortem diagnosis of tumors of the heart is quite rare, probably because alterations in the normal size, shape, rhythm or valvular sounds of the heart are usually attributed to some of the more usual degenerative or infectious pathologic states. Even though a primary neoplasm has been detected and the possibility of cardiac metastasis has not been forgotten by the clinician, the actual diagnosis of this condition is often made only at the postmortem table. The patient who serves as the subject of this communication presented marked evidences of a disease state the symptoms of which suggested vascular inflammation or obstruction affecting the right lower limb. As will be detailed, a malignant tumor of the heart was diagnosed ante mortem. The location of the primary neoplasm, while erroneously suspected to be the pelvis, was discovered only at autopsy. Moreover, the service that the x-rays and the electrocardiograph rendered in explaining