Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and a rare case of an atrial myxoma causing an atrial septal defect

Abstract

A 40 year-old athletic woman presented with worsening dyspnea on exertion over the preceding several months. Chest radiograph showed borderline cardiomegaly and subsequent echocardiography demonstrated a 5.0-cm left atrial mass as well as left-to-right interatrial shunting through a patent foramen ovale. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which demonstrated signal characteristics consistent with an atrial myxoma. The patient then underwent urgent surgical treatment with good technical and clinical outcome. Histologic examination confirmed an atrial myxoma. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was valuable in characterizing the nature of the atrial mass and patent foramen ovale, helping guide the surgical approach.

MRI and CT Appearances in Various Cardiac Tumours

“…These tumours are most commonly found in one of the heart's chambers, particularly the left atrium. Myxomas often consist of stellate cells and connective tissue [22][23][24]. Cardiac myxomas often develop slowly, and in some cases, they can impede blood flow through the heart chambers or cause problems with the heart valves (Figure 3).…”

“…Cardiac myxomas often develop slowly, and in some cases, they can impede blood flow through the heart chambers or cause problems with the heart valves (Figure 3). Image Credit: Grant et al, 2017 [24]; Licensed under CC-BY Symptoms of a cardiac myxoma may include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and stroke-like symptoms if a fragment of the tumour breaks off and travels to the brain (embolism) [23].…”