Left atrial myxoma mimicking papillary fibroelastoma

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis due to surgery for left patellar fracture. Deep vein thrombosis resolved with thrombolytic therapy. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a mobile left atrial tumor. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a fragile tumor with multiple fronds, implying a papillary fibroelastoma. Because this patient had a history of cerebral embolism, urgent surgery was scheduled. The excised tumor showed a sea anemone-like appearance in saline, which was similar to that of a papillary fibroelastoma. However, histological examination revealed the features of a myxoma and not papillary fibroelastoma. Herein, we illustrate a very rare case of left atrial myxoma with papillary fibroelastoma-like features in terms of both echocardiographic and gross findings.

Keywords: Myxoma; Papillary fibroelastoma; Transesophageal echocardiography.