Cerebral ischemia as initial neurological manifestation of atrial myxoma: case report

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2006 Sep;64(3A):660-3. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2006000400027.

Abstract

Cerebral infarctions of cardiac etiology are observed in around 20% of patients with ischemic stroke. Cerebral ischemia is the first clinical manifestation in 1/3 of cases of atrial myxomas. Although almost half of patients with atrial myxoma show changes at neurological exam, non-hemorrhagic cerebral infarction is seen in computed tomography in practically all cases. We present the case of a 40 year-old woman whose first clinical manifestation of atrial myxoma was an ischemic stroke. We point out to the possibility of silent cerebral infarction in atrial myxoma patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Female
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Myxoma / complications*
  • Myxoma / diagnosis
  • Myxoma / surgery
  • Stroke / etiology*