Infected atrial myxoma: case report and literature review

Infez Med. 2007 Dec;15(4):256-61.

Abstract

Myxoma is the most common type of cardiac tumour in all age groups. It may simulate infective endocarditis but is rarely infected. We describe one case of infected left atrial myxoma caused by Enterococcus faecalis. Combined therapy, consisting of surgical management and antimicrobial therapy, was used. Histological examination of the excised tumour revealed a typical myxoma with infiltrates of neutrophils. Few cases of infected atrial myxomas have been reported in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aminoglycosides / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / complications*
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Enterococcus faecalis / isolation & purification*
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / etiology*
  • Heart Atria / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Atria / microbiology*
  • Heart Atria / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Myxoma / complications*
  • Myxoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Myxoma / surgery
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents