Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Large obstructive cardiac myxofibrosarcoma is nearly invisible on transthoracic echocardiogram
Ido Heletz1, Sandra V Abramson
1Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
Malignant primary cardiac tumors are exceptionally rare, and the most common of these are sarcomas. We present a case of a patient who was found to have a large mass in the left atrium causing obstruction of mitral inflow. Only selected views on a transthoracic echocardiogram reveal the mass and its hemodynamic effect. Although the mass was sizeable, it could be easily overlooked on cursory review of the echocardiogram. After surgical resection, the mass was proven to be a myxofibrosarcoma. We review the etiologies and possible solutions for the imperfect sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for cardiac masses.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
