Tubercular granuloma in the myocardium: an autopsy report

Kanchan T, Nagesh KR, Lobo FD, Menezes RG
Correspondence: Dr Tanuj Kanchan, tanujkanchan@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT
Granulomatous myocarditis is a rare disorder of the myocardium, and is usually associated with various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. We report granulomatous myocarditis in an apparently healthy 58-year-old Indian man, who developed sudden chest pain and died while being escorted to the hospital. At the autopsy, no gross distinct cardiac lesions were observed. The histopathological sections from the left ventricular apex revealed a granuloma comprising a central area of caseous necrosis surrounded by lymphocytes, and epithelioid, plasma and Langhans giant cells. Myocardial tuberculosis was suspected as the underlying aetiology based on the histological features of the granuloma.

Keywords: myocarditis, granuloma, tuberculosis, autopsy
Singapore Med J 2010; 51(1): e15-e17