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Cardioembolic stroke caused by atrial myxoma
Kate Devlin1,2, Aimée McGreal-Bellone3, Anne O'Driscoll3
1ARHC/Stroke Service, Naas General Hospital, Naas, Kildare, Ireland 2008kdevlin@gmail.com.
BMJ Case Reports
|January 29, 2025
Summary
A rare atrial myxoma caused recurrent neurological symptoms in a patient. Early cardiac imaging is crucial for diagnosing such cardiac tumors presenting as cerebrovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Transient neurological deficits can mimic cerebrovascular accidents.
- Atrial myxomas are rare primary cardiac tumors often presenting with embolic phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of atrial myxoma presenting as recurrent transient neurological symptoms.
- To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and the role of advanced imaging.
Main Methods:
- Clinical presentation of transient neurological symptoms over 20 months.
- Initial workup including CT brain, carotid dopplers, and ECG.
- Brain MRI revealing ischemic events and transesophageal echocardiogram identifying atrial myxoma.
Main Results:
- CT brain, carotid dopplers, and ECG were normal.
- Brain MRI showed ischemic events in multiple cortical areas.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram identified a mobile mass confirmed as atrial myxoma.
Conclusions:
- Atrial myxoma should be considered in patients with unexplained recurrent cerebrovascular events.
- Thorough cardiac evaluation, including echocardiography, is essential.
- Brain MRI is valuable when CT is inconclusive for suspected ischemic events.
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