Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
06:29

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques

Published on: June 11, 2019

Left atrial mass: thrombus mimicking myxoma

Sumeesh Dhawan1, Tahir Tak

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, USA.

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|October 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A large left atrial mass in a patient with atrial fibrillation was initially difficult to diagnose. Surgical resection revealed an organized thrombus, highlighting diagnostic challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Left atrial masses can present diagnostic challenges, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation.
  • Distinguishing between cardiac tumors (e.g., myxoma) and thrombi based solely on imaging can be difficult.

Observation:

  • A 31-year-old woman with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation presented with a large left atrial mass detected via echocardiography.
  • Imaging revealed a 3 cm x 3 cm circular mass with smooth contours, exhibiting mobility that complicated differential diagnosis.
  • The patient was on chronic anticoagulation therapy with coumadin.

Findings:

  • Surgical resection of the intracardiac mass was performed.
  • Pathologic examination confirmed the mass to be an organized thrombus.
  • The case highlights the difficulty in differentiating left atrial thrombus from myxoma based on imaging characteristics.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering organized thrombus in the differential diagnosis of left atrial masses, even in anticoagulated patients.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and surgical planning.
  • Further literature review is presented to aid in the differential diagnosis of such masses.

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