Open AccessThe transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of left atrial myxoma simulating a left atrial thrombus in the setting of mitral stenosis
Author(s) -
Stoddard Marcus F.,
Liddell Norman E.,
Korfhage Linda,
Arce Javier,
Kupersmith Joel
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960150515
Subject(s) - medicine , myxoma , left atrial myxoma , cardiology , thrombus , stenosis , radiology , mitral valve , left atrium , atrial fibrillation
We report a case of left atrial myxoma simulating a thrombus on transthoracic echocardiography, but correctly diagnosed using transesophageal echocardiography. As this tumor is usually fatal unless surgically resected, a correct diagnosis is essential. Myxomas which do not prolapse between the mitral valve leaflets and coexist with mitral stenosis may be difficult to diagnose accurately using transthoracic echocardiography. The advantages of transesophageal compared with transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis of nonclassical left atrial myxoma are discussed.