An interleukin-6-producing cardiac myxoma associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy

We report our experience with a patient whose mediastinal lymphadenopathy resolved after resection of a cardiac myxoma that secreted interleukin-6 (IL-6). The patient was a 68-year-old female who complained of nocturnal chest discomfort related to congestive heart failure. An echocardiogram demonstrated a large left atrial mass. A computed tomogram showed not only the left atrial mass but multiple enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. The serum IL-6 level was markedly elevated at 13.7 pg/ml. After resection of the cardiac myxoma, serum IL-6 returned to the normal range. A repeat computed tomogram showed no mediastinal lymphadenopathy. We believe that overproduction of IL-6 by the cardiac myxoma was the cause of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy.