Papillary fibroelastoma: a rare but treatable cause of cerebral infarction

INTRODUCTION: Papillary fibroelastoma is a benign cardiac tumor which can be associated with serious embolic complications. EXEGESIS: We report on a 42-year-old man admitted for an ischemic stroke in the left middle cerebral artery region. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mitral valve tumor. Surgical excision and histological examination showed a papillary fibroelastoma. Clinical course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: We consider the high embolic potential of this tumor, which represents a surgically treatable cause of ischemic stroke.