title: The impact of preoperative imaging for atypical atrial myxoma locations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac neoplasm. The majority (75%-80%) are located in the left atrium at the base of the foramen ovalis. Surgical removal can prevent dangerous obstructive or thromboembolic sequelae.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Atypically located tumors may present technical challenges requiring case-specific surgical adaptations when visualization or surrounding cardiac structures are compromised.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 3 cases of atypically located atrial myxomas that required preoperative transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography to afford the optimal surgical approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases highlight the potential need for multimodality imaging of atypically located atrial myxomas to determine the optimal technical approach for excision.
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, California, USA. daniel.hatz@shaw.af.mil
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Edwdard Hatz
authors: Daren
authors: D
authors: Danielson
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Nilas Young
authors: Ezra
authors: E
authors: Amsterdam
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014463:Ultrasonography