High-quality imaging of a left atrial tumour using real-time two-dimensional echocardiography.
A patient with a large left atrial mass is described in whom real-time two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography provided images of exceptionally high quality. The mass was pedunculated, attached to the lower interatrial septum, appeared jelly-like in consistency and prolapsed into the mitral orifice during diastole. These features are characteristic of a left atrial myxoma. The importance of real-time 2-D echocardiography in the diagnosis of atrial tumours, and especially that of the subxiphoid view, is discussed.
D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000175:diagnosis*