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An unusual cause of stroke from a left atrial mass

Joseph C Wu1, Michael C Fishbein, John S Child

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5344, USA. joewu@stanford.edu

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|May 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A woman with a history of breast cancer experienced a severe headache, leading to the discovery of a possible mycotic aneurysm. This finding highlights the importance of investigating potential cardiac sources for such vascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • A 59-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation presented with a severe headache.
  • The patient had undergone treatment for stage II left breast cancer in 1997, including lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Observation:

  • Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left occipital hemorrhage.
  • An angiogram identified a possible mycotic aneurysm in the posterior cerebral artery.

Findings:

  • The mycotic aneurysm was suspected to be a potential source of the cerebral hemorrhage.
  • Cardiology consultation was sought to identify a possible cardioembolic origin for the aneurysm.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the need for thorough cardiovascular evaluation in patients presenting with cerebral hemorrhage and suspected aneurysms.
  • Early detection and management of cardioembolic sources are crucial for preventing recurrent embolic events and improving patient outcomes.

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