Unusually located left atrial papillary fibroelastoma with probable embolization to the spinal cord

Abstract

This report presents a patient with flaccid paraplegia, most probably secondary to embolization from a left atrial papillary fibroelastoma. The unique location of the tumor, attached to the ridge in the left atrium between the left atrial appendage and pulmonary vein, was well documented on transesophageal echocardiography, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. Although benign, these tumors may develop in all four cardiac chambers and result in pulmonary or systemic embolization. Paraplegia is a rare embolic complication.