Diagnostic value of cross-sectional echocardiography in left atrial myxoma

Atrial myxoma is a rare condition that may have unusual clinical manifestations. Two patients with left atrial myxoma are described. One presented with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and no abnormal physical signs on clinical examination; the second presented with palpitations and physical findings suggestive of mild mixed mitral valve disease. Echocardiography and cross-sectional echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of atrial myxoma in both patients, and the tumors were successfully removed by operation. Cross-sectional echocardiography may obviate the need for cardiac catheterization in patients with left atrial tumors.