Imitation of a chronic recurrent inflammatory illness by a cardiac myxoma

A 10-year-old boy presented with unspecific symptoms and laboratory abnormalities simulating a chronic recurrent inflammatory disorder. Cardiovascular symptoms were absent. After 2 years of intermittent symptoms and persisting laboratory signs of an inflammatory disorder, echocardiographic evaluation revealed a large left atrial tumour. Immediate surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of a cardiac myxoma and resulted in freedom from symptoms and normalization of laboratory parameters.

A cardiac myxoma can present with unspecific and extracardiac symptoms. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis on unclear chronic inflammatory or chronically recurrent febrile illness suggesting an auto-immune vasculitis or collagen disorder.