Saw-tooth cardiomyopathy from foetal to neonatal period: a case report and literature review

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of saw-tooth cardiomyopathy in a neonate, diagnosed using various imaging techniques and reviewed existing literature on the condition.

Contribution

The paper contributes a new case report and literature review on the rare saw-tooth cardiomyopathy, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and the need for long-term follow-up.

Findings

Saw-tooth cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in a 10-day-old neonate using echocardiography, CT, and CMR.

The condition may be misdiagnosed as LV non-compaction due to similar imaging features.

Prognosis remains uncertain due to the condition's rarity and unclear pathogenesis.

Abstract

Saw-tooth cardiomyopathy is a rare condition characterized by left ventricular (LV) dysplasia, defined by multiple myocardial crypts resembling a ‘saw-tooth’ pattern on imaging examinations.

We present a case involving a 10-day-old neonate who was diagnosed with saw-tooth cardiomyopathy, a diagnosis substantiated by echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The patient demonstrated arrhythmia characterized by premature atrial contractions and had a suspected cardiomyopathy identified during the foetal period.

The diagnosis of this condition is solely based on morphological features and may be misdiagnosed as LV non-compaction. Imaging modalities, including echocardiography, CT, and CMR are valuable diagnostic tools. Owing to its rarity and unclear pathogenesis, the prognosis of saw-tooth cardiomyopathy remains uncertain, necessitating long-term, potentially lifelong follow-up.

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