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[Infected left atrial myxoma].
Antonio García-Quintana1, Pedro Martín-Lorenzo, Javier Suárez de Lezo
1Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España. antoniogarcia@secardiologia.es
Revista Espanola De Cardiologia
|December 6, 2005
Summary
Infected cardiac myxoma is rare but can mimic uninfected tumors. This case highlights Streptococcus oralis infection of a left atrial myxoma leading to limb embolism, successfully treated with resection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor, typically presenting without infection.
- Infected myxomas are rare, and their clinical presentation can be indistinguishable from non-infected myxomas.
- Systemic embolism is a known complication of cardiac myxomas.
Observation:
- A 58-year-old woman presented with symptoms suggestive of a cardiac mass.
- She had a history of pharyngeal infection preceding the cardiac symptoms.
- Infection of a left atrial myxoma was diagnosed, complicated by systemic embolism to the lower limbs.
Findings:
- Blood cultures and embolic material identified Streptococcus oralis.
- Surgical resection of the infected left atrial myxoma was performed.
- The patient experienced an uneventful recovery following tumor resection.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering infection in cardiac myxoma, even with atypical presentations.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing infected myxomas and preventing embolic complications.
- Further literature review on infected myxoma cases is presented to improve understanding of this rare condition.