Diagnosing the culprit behind a subtle case of concomitant right atrial myxoma and atrial fibrillation: A case report

Radiol Case Rep. 2023 Jul 25;18(10):3475-3478. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.07.021. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Myxomas are rare tumors arising from the uncontrolled proliferation of mesenchymal cells. Among cardiac conditions, cardiac myxomas account for less than 0.1% of cases, with the majority found in the left atrium and only 8% in the right atrium. Atrial myxomas present with various clinical manifestations, including constitutional symptoms, symptoms caused by blood flow obstruction, and tumor embolism. This case report describes a 50-year-old male patient presenting with syncope, fatigue, and dyspnea, who had a history of well-controlled hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Physical examination, further diagnostic workup, and echocardiography led to a provisional diagnosis of right atrial myxoma. The patient underwent a median sternotomy, and the tumor was surgically excised, resulting in both diagnostic and curative outcomes. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of myxoma. This case report contributes valuable insights into the presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment of atrial myxoma.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardiac myxoma; Case report; Right atrial myxoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports