title: An unexpected pre-operative diagnosis.
abstract: This is a case report of a patient presenting with breathlessness who was thought to have suspected systemic lupus erythematosus, but was actually diagnosed with an atrial myxoma. It shows how cardiac pathology can be easily misdiagnosed as suspected pulmonary pathology and serves as a reminder to clinicians when investigating a patient with breathlessness. It also raises the question as to which patients should undergo routine pre-operative echocardiography before thoracic surgery.
authors: Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK. ghallward@doctors.org.uk
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Hallward
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Valchanov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea; D004452:Echocardiography; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis; D009232:Myxoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013616:Tachycardia, Sinus; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted