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Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound echocardiography diagnosis of an atrial myxoma in a child presenting with stroke
Author(s) -
Quinn Nuala,
Kalichuran Rohan,
Prenderville Terence,
McGuinness Jonathan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2205-0140
pISSN - 1836-6864
DOI - 10.1002/ajum.12201
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , myxoma , stroke (engine) , cardiology , radiology , mechanical engineering , psychiatry , engineering
We describe a case of paediatric stroke secondary to atrial myxoma, diagnosed in the Emergency Department by Point‐of‐Care echocardiography. A previously fit and healthy teenage male presented to our paediatric emergency department following a collapse with loss of consciousness. He had suffered a stroke, and had facial paralysis and hemiplegia. His cardiac examination revealed a 3/6 ejection systolic murmur. Whilst his CT was being reported, he had a Point‐of‐Care echocardiogram in the resuscitation room which showed a very large mass arising from the left atrium and occupying >50% of the chamber. A piece of the myxoma had detached and caused the stroke. The patient was rapidly transferred to a cardiac intensive care unit and underwent emergency surgery the same day. His tumour was successfully completely resected, and he has only a mild residual hemiplegia. Cardiac myxoma should be considered in any child who presents with unexplained acute stroke and a cardiac murmur. Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound echocardiography in the Paediatric Emergency Department can be used to make a life‐saving diagnosis, enabling early surgical management and preventing lifelong complications in children.