[Echo-guided extirpation of huge left atrial myxoma]

A 41-year-old male undergoing outpatient therapy for hypertension was to have a mass in the left atrium by echocardiography for screening. Transesophageal echocardiography did not identify the attachment of the tumor. The optimal approach to the tumor was determined depending on the findings of intraoperative echocardiography which well visualized the attachment of the tumor. The tumor, a large myxoma filling the most inner space of the left atrium, was extirpated via incisions in the right atrium and interatrial septum. Intraoperative echocardiography is an extremely useful method to determine the optimal approach for tumor resection. It is especially useful in cases of left atrial myxoma which has an unclear attachment on preoperative examination.