title: Star in the heart.
abstract: In a 50 year old woman, transthoracic echocardiography showed a left atrial mass. Transoesophageal echocardiography delineated its attachment. Additionally, cystic spaces were seen arranged concentrically in the shape of a star in the centre of the tumour. Surgical excision followed. Histopathological examination confirmed myxoma with areas of haemorrhage and necrosis. This case highlights the acoustic property of myxomas in a rare and beautiful manner and emphasises the superior transoesophageal imaging of myxomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India. saikm@sctimst.ker.nic.in
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Krishnamoorthy
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tharakan
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Krishnamanohar
mesh_terms: D004452:Echocardiography; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*