The role of 3D echocardiographic imaging in the differential diagnosis of an atypical left atrial myxoma

Abstract

We describe a case of a left atrial myxoma atypical for its anatomical features and site of attachment. Although an initial multimodality imaging was performed, the diagnosis of myxoma was possible only by three dimensional echocardiography (3DE) which was able to identify the pedicle and the attachment at the base of the interatrial septum, close to the origin of right inferior pulmonary vein. In fact the 3DE can electronically section the structures and obtain unique planes useful in visualizing correctly the anatomical features of the myxomas and as a result, it facilitates the surgical decision planning. Even the anatomical appearance was uncommon at surgery and the diagnosis could be confirmed only by pathology. This case highlights the diagnostic ability of the 3DE in similar challenging scenarios.

Keywords

• Three-dimensional echocardiography
• cardiac myxoma
• nuclear magnetic resonance.