Korean J Med.  2010 Aug;79(2):191-194.

A case of left atrial myxoma presenting as interstitial pulmonary edema

• Kwon KJ
• Kim KH
• Chun EM
• Ryu YJ
• Lee JW
• Jang JH
• Sim SS

Abstract

Primary neoplasm of the heart is rare. Benign tumors, the majority of which are myxomas, comprise up to 50% of cardiac neoplasms. Although cardiac myxoma is a source of emboli to the central nervous system and elsewhere in the vascular tree, its clinical signs and symptoms may be nonspecific. These nonspecific systemic symptoms and minor embolic phenomena may be overlooked in patients without a previous history of cardiac problems. Thus, we need to recognize the signs of myxoma and begin treatment immediately. We encountered a case of left atrial myxoma, presenting as pulmonary interstitial edema of unknown cause, in a 50-year-old female patient. Excision of a mass located on the left atrium was scheduled but she developed a cerebral embolism that led to her death.

Keyword

Pulmonary edema; Cardiac myxoma

MeSH Terms

Central Nervous System
Edema
Female
Heart
Heart Atria
Heart Neoplasms
Humans
Intracranial Embolism
Middle Aged
Myxoma
Pulmonary Edema