Key result
Transthoracic echocardiography detects a giant left atrial myxoma, enabling successful surgical resection and mitral annuloplasty.
Why the study?
This case report illustrates the echocardiographic features of cardiac myxoma and the role of echocardiography in differentiating myxoma from other intracardiac masses.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case report demonstrates the crucial diagnostic role of transthoracic echocardiography in detecting a giant left atrial myxoma in a young patient presenting only with subtle presyncope, enabling timely surgical resection and mitral valve repair prior to embolic or fatal obstructive complications.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
TTE aids myxoma detection in unexplained presyncope; leaves open prospective validation of imaging protocols in young adults.
Background: This case report illustrates the echocardiographic features of cardiac myxoma and highlights the role of echocardiography in differentiating myxoma from other intracardiac masses. Case presentation: A 32-year-old woman presented to the clinic for a routine medical evaluation. Her medical history was notable for two episodes of presyncope that had not been previously investigated. Baseline blood tests and electrocardiogram (ECG) were unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) incidentally demonstrated a giant 6.2 x 3.4 cm pedunculated heterogeneous mass within the left atrium, arising from the interatrial septum near the fossa ovalis. The mass was highly mobile, prolapsing into the left ventricle during diastole. Left ventricular function was preserved (EF 67%), with grade 2 mitral regurgitation, likely due to impaired valve closure by the prolapsing mass. Surgical excision with mitral annuloplasty was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma. Conclusion: This case highlights the diagnostic value of TTE in a patient with a subtle history of presyncope. The location, mobility and morphology of the mass on echocardiography supported the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma and facilitated early surgical intervention. Recognition of these echocardiographic features is clinically valuable, as myxomas carry a risk of valve obstruction and embolization, and timely resection can prevent fatal complications.
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Ramachandran et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Giant left atrial myxoma presenting with presyncope and grade 2 mitral regurgitation (n=1). Transthoracic echocardiography diagnosis followed by surgical excision with mitral annuloplasty was evaluated on Histopathological confirmation of cardiac myxoma and postoperative recovery. Transthoracic echocardiography identified a giant 6.2 x 3.4 cm left atrial myxoma in a 32-year-old woman with presyncope, enabling successful surgical excision and mitral annuloplasty.
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