Etymed
cardiac myxoma
Definition
A benign tumor of the heart that has a gelatinous, myxoid appearance, typically occurring in the left atrium
Clinical context
A 55-year-old woman presents with fatigue, shortness of breath, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. She has a history of migraines and stroke-like episodes. On examination, she has clubbing and systolic murmur. Echocardiography reveals a large mass in the left atrium with a characteristic 'tumor-like' appearance. The tumor is most likely a cardiac myxoma, which commonly presents with embolic events due to its location in the left atrium.
Mnemonic
LEFT atrial myxoma - Look for Embolization, Tumor, and Atrial fibrillation