[Atrial myxoma and signs of autoimmune disease]

Raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mild proteinuria, erythrocyturia and slightly impaired renal function were revealed in a 45-year-old patient complaining of general physical fatigue, fever and pain in the right flank. Interstitial nephritis was confirmed by biopsy. Therefore, an autoimmune disease with renal involvement was diagnosed. Three years later a myxoma of the left atrium was found. After surgical removal of the myxoma the signs of the systemic disease receded and disappeared unexpectedly. At follow-up after 10 years the patient was completely free of symptoms. It is concluded that the signs of the autoimmune disease had been caused by the myxoma.