A giant right atrial villous myxoma with simultaneous pulmonary embolism

INTRODUCTION

Primary cardiac tumors are rare and approximately three quarters of them are benign and up to half of the benign tumors are myxomas. Right atrial villous myxoma with pulmonary embolism is an unusual apparition.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 29 year-old male was admitted to our outpatient clinic with progressive exertional dyspnea, chest pain and intermittent feeling faint. A giant right atrial villous mobile mass was detected by means of transthoracic echocardiography. To exclude possible pulmonary embolism, chest computed tomography scan was performed and showed filling defects in the branch of the pulmonary artery. The mass was totally resected.

DISCUSSION

RA villous myxoma is a rare subtype in an unusual location with high potential of pulmonary embolism. Early surgery for villous myxoma has a great importance in order to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSION

3D TEE should be a sufficient technique for diagnosis and evoluation of shape, size and origin of the cardiac mass an adequate guide to surgical treatment.