Left atrial myxoma presenting as a systemic vasculitis.
Left atrial myxoma has often stimulated systemic vasculitis or a connective tissue disease, but the diagnosis is usually suggested by cardiac symptoms or signs. The present case report is both unusual and instructive in that the patient presented with a painless left foot drop followed by digital vasculitis. Laboratory findings included depressed total hemolytic complement and elevated anti-double-stranded DNA. Despite frequent and careful observation, a heart murmur was not appreciated. Because of the unusual features and the patient's frequent military travels, the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma was not established for 8 months. This case history stresses the importance of considering the possibility of atrial myxoma in patients with heart murmurs whose symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory studies could be compatible with a systemic vasculitis.
D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications*