Abstract
Atrial myxoma is a benign cardiac tumor found most commonly in the left atrium in 80% of the cases. Almost 1 in 10 myxomas are familial and are most common in women. Cardiac myxoma mostly present with dyspnea, fatigue or palpitations. Previously undiagnosed left atrial myxoma (LA) presenting as stroke is extremely rare. Authors describe the case of a middle aged man with LA myxoma presenting with acute ischemic embolic stroke which was surgically excised. This case report emphasizes on the rare presentation as embolic stroke and the role of cardiac imaging in patients presenting with ischemic stroke. Early and co-ordinated team work among the neurologist, cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon help establish the etiology and provide appropriate treatment.
Keywords: Left atrial myxoma, Embolic stroke, 2D echocardiogram, cardiac tumor.