title: Spindle cell sarcoma of the left atrium: an extremely rare and challenging tumour often masquerading as left atrial myxoma.
abstract: Spindle-cell sarcoma of the left atrium is an extremely rare diagnosis, with only 4 cases reported in the literature worldwide. We report on a 42-year-old man, who presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and decreased exercise tolerance. A computed tomography chest scan showed a large mass in the left atrium. Echocardiography demonstrated a significant gradient across the mitral valve. The patient had the mass excised in the operating room. He did well postoperatively. Eight months later, a repeat cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a recurrence. Right pneumonectomy was performed to ensure margins were clear. Although he has done well after surgery, his prognosis remains guarded.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Naji
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kholaif
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: oneill2@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Blair J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: O'Neill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009232:Myxoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed