Queer consequence of cough: atrial myxoma embolization with acute occlusion of the abdominal aorta.
We introduce a rare case of sudden paraplegia preceded by vigorous coughing. This case demonstrates that detachment of a myxoma fragment can possibly be triggered by an abrupt increase in intrathoracic pressure. It is a potential complication that has never been reported in the literature. This case illustrates that clinicians should consider cardiac myxoma in a patient with an embolic event of ambiguous etiology, especially when the event is preceded by a forceful, valsalva maneuver-like action.
Department of Emergency Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yueh-Hsing
YH
Lin
Shey-Ying
SY
Chen
Kao-Lang
KL
Liu
I-Hui
IH
Wu
Shu-Chien
SC
Huang
Ai-Wey
AW
Ong
Wen-Chu
WC
Chiang
Cheng-Chung
CC
Fang
D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications*; D017128:Embolectomy; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000150:complications*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver