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Highlights & Basics
- Atrial myxoma is the most common of the rare benign primary cardiac tumors.
- Usually found in the left atrium and typically attached to the septum.
- Most common presentation is with symptoms of mitral valve obstruction, followed by embolic manifestations. Constitutional symptoms include fever, fatigue, and weight loss.
- The only definitive treatment is surgical.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Large left atrial myxoma
Macroscopic view of a left atrial myxoma
Two-dimensional echocardiogram showing a right atrial mass suggestive of a myxoma
Atrial myxoma identified on echocardiography (A) and following surgical resection (B)
Chest CT demonstrating a mass in the right atrium (RA) subsequently confirmed to be an atrial myxoma. RV = right ventricle, LV = left ventricle
Two-dimensional echocardiogram of a right atrial thrombus (note not attached to septum)
Transesophageal echocardiogram showing a catheter in the superior vena cava and a right atrial thrombus (note not attached to septum)
Citations
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Edwards A, Bermudez C, Piwonka G, et al. Carney's syndrome: complex myxomas. Report of four cases and review of the literature. Cardiovasc Surg. 2002 Jun;10(3):264-75.[Abstract]
Grossniklaus HE. McLean IW, Gillespie JJ. Bilateral eyelid myxomas in Carney's complex. Br J Ophthalmol. 1991 Apr;75(4):251-2.[Abstract][Full Text]
Ohara N, Komiya I, Yamauchi K, et al. Carney's complex with primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and spotty pigmentations. Intern Med. 1993 Jan;32(1):60-2.[Abstract][Full Text]
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5. Edwards A, Bermudez C, Piwonka G, et al. Carney's syndrome: complex myxomas. Report of four cases and review of the literature. Cardiovasc Surg. 2002 Jun;10(3):264-75.[Abstract]
6. Grossniklaus HE. McLean IW, Gillespie JJ. Bilateral eyelid myxomas in Carney's complex. Br J Ophthalmol. 1991 Apr;75(4):251-2.[Abstract][Full Text]
7. Ohara N, Komiya I, Yamauchi K, et al. Carney's complex with primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease and spotty pigmentations. Intern Med. 1993 Jan;32(1):60-2.[Abstract][Full Text]
8. Acebo E, Val-Bernal JF, Gomez-Roman JJ, et al. Clinicopathologic study and DNA analysis of 37 cardiac myxomas: a 28-year experience. Chest. 2003 May;123(5):1379-85.[Abstract]
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