Rapid growth of a left atrial myxoma shown by echocardiography

Rapid growth of a left atrial myxoma was demonstrated in a patient who showed no echocardiographic evidence of the tumour when he was admitted for coronary artery bypass grafting. Eight months later he complained of dyspnoea and fatigue, and cross sectional echocardiography showed a 6 x 4 cm left atrial myxoma. This was removed and the diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination.