AN UNUSUAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PATTERN OF A LEFT ATRIAL MYXOMA.
Unusual echocardiographic findings in a 58-year-old woman with a history of rheumatic fever and an angiographically demonstrated prolapsing left atrial myxoma are presented. With variations of gain and damping controls, it was possible to isolate a more distinct anterior mitral leaflet echo, or a more posterior linear echo, thought to represent the prolapsing tumor. The tumor, instead of presenting as a cloud of echoes behind the anterior mitral valve leaflet, demonstrated an alternate pattern of a single linear dense echo at this location. Echocardiography, though very useful in the diagnosis of left atrial tumors, can be fallible at times.
Mathurin
Jean-Robert
JR
Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and the Ben Taub General Hospital.
Adyanthaya
Ajit V.
AV
Petrovich
Lawrence J.
LJ
Franco
Mauricio
M
Mattox
Kenneth L.
KL
Alexander
James K.
JK