Young stroke, cardiac myxoma, and multiple emboli: a case report and literature review

Huai-Hua Yeh1, Chi-Chiang Yang, Wai-Fai Tung

  • 1Section of Neurology, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taiwan. flyikimo@yahoo.com.tw

Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
|September 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac myxoma, a rare heart tumor, can cause serious neurological events like stroke. Early diagnosis and surgical removal are crucial for preventing devastating outcomes and enabling recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cardiac myxoma is a primary cardiac tumor and a significant source of arterial emboli.
  • Embolization from cardiac myxoma can lead to severe neurological complications, including stroke and hemorrhage.

Observation:

  • A 40-year-old male without traditional vascular risk factors presented with stroke symptoms.
  • Diagnostic imaging revealed a large mitral valve mass, confirmed as cardiac myxoma, with evidence of systemic embolization to the brain, kidneys, and eye.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced infarction of the left middle cerebral artery due to emboli from the cardiac myxoma.
  • Histopathological examination confirmed the cardiac myxoma, and systemic emboli were observed in multiple organs.

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis and surgical excision of cardiac myxoma are vital to prevent catastrophic embolic events and potential sudden death.
  • Surgical treatment can lead to symptom resolution, normalization of inflammatory markers, and potential regression of associated intracranial aneurysms.

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