Skip to main content
PMC home page
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1978 Dec;41(12):1119–1124. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.41.12.1119

Atrial myxoma: a review of the neurological complications, metastases, and recurrences

Alonso L Desousa 1,2,3,4, Jans Muller 1,2,3,4, Robert L Campbell 1,2,3,4, Solomon Batnitzky 1,2,3,4, Laura Rankin 1,2,3,4
PMCID: PMC493241  PMID: 366086

Abstract

The neurological complications secondary to embolism from atrial myxoma are reviewed. A patient with intracranial and skeletal metastases is described to emphasise the malignant potentiality of this tumour. A classification of atrial myxoma metastases is presented.

Full text

PDF
1120

Images in this article

1120Image
on p.1120
1120Image
on p.1120
1121Image
on p.1121
1122Image
on p.1122

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Bahl O. P., Oliver G. C., Ferguson T. B., Schad N., Parker B. M. Recurrent left atrial myxoma. Report of a case. Circulation. 1969 Nov;40(5):673–676. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.40.5.673. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Burton C., Johnston J. Multiple cerebral aneurysms and cardiac myxoma. N Engl J Med. 1970 Jan 1;282(1):35–36. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197001012820109. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Castaigne P., Laplane D., Ricou P., Mallecourt J. Anévrysms artériels multiples intracraniens d'sspect mycotique. Accidents vasculaires répétitifs d'allure embolique. Myxome de l'oreillette gauche. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1975 May;131(5):339–346. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Coltart D. J., Billingham M. E., Popp R. L., Caves P. K., Harrison D. C., Stinson E. B. Left atrial myxoma: diagnosis, treatment, and cytological observations. JAMA. 1975 Dec 1;234(9):950–953. doi: 10.1001/jama.234.9.950. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Croxson R. S., Jewitt D., Bentall H. H., Cleland W. P., Kristinsson A., Goodwin J. F. Long-term follow-up of atrial myxoma. Br Heart J. 1972 Oct;34(10):1018–1023. doi: 10.1136/hrt.34.10.1018. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Damásio H., Seabra-Gomes R., da Silva J. P., Damásio A. R., Antunes J. L. Multiple cerebral aneurysms and cardiac myxoma. Arch Neurol. 1975 Apr;32(4):269–270. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1975.00490460085013. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Dang C. R., Hurley E. J. Contralateral recurrent myxoma of the heart. Ann Thorac Surg. 1976 Jan;21(1):59–62. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)64889-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Ferrans V. J., Roberts W. C. Structural features of cardiac myxomas. Histology, histochemistry, and electron microscopy. Hum Pathol. 1973 Mar;4(1):111–146. doi: 10.1016/s0046-8177(73)80051-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Gerbode F., Kerth W. J., Hill J. D. Surgical management of tumors of the heart. Surgery. 1967 Jan;61(1):94–101. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Greenwood W. F. Profile of atrial myxoma. Am J Cardiol. 1968 Mar;21(3):367–375. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(68)90141-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. HEATH D., MACKINNON J. PULMONARY HYPERTENSION DUE TO MYXOMA OF THE RIGHT ATRIUM; WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE BEHAVIOR OF EMBOLI OF MYXOMA IN THE LUNG. Am Heart J. 1964 Aug;68:227–235. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(64)90044-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Hardin N. J., Wilson J. M., 3rd, Gray G. F., Gay W. A., Jr Experience with primary tumors of the heart. Clinical and pathological study of seventeen cases. Johns Hopkins Med J. 1974 Mar;134(3):141–155. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Heath D. Pathology of cardiac tumors. Am J Cardiol. 1968 Mar;21(3):315–327. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(68)90136-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Hedfors E., Mogensen L. Atrial myxoma. 12 cases operated in Stockholm 1954-1973. Eur J Cardiol. 1974 Aug;2(1):101–107. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. JOYNT R. J., ZIMMERMAN G., KHALIFEH R. CEREBRAL EMBOLI FROM CARDIAC TUMORS. Arch Neurol. 1965 Jan;12:84–91. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1965.00460250088011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Jugdutt B. I., Rossall R. E., Sterns L. P. An unusual case of recurrent left atrial myxoma. Can Med Assoc J. 1975 May 3;112(9):1099–1100. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Kelly M., Bhagwat A. G. Ultrastructural features of a recurrent endothelial myxoma of the left atrium. Arch Pathol. 1972 Mar;93(3):219–226. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Kimbrell O. C., Jr, Kaasa L. J. Primary intraluminal aortic myxoma with involvement of several vertebrae. JAMA. 1973 Oct 22;226(4):459–460. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Maranhao V., Gooch A. S., Yang S. S., Goldberg H. Regrowth of a left atrial myxoma. Chest. 1973 Jan;63(1):98–100. doi: 10.1378/chest.63.1.98. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Maroon J. C., Campbell R. L. Atrial myxoma: a treatable cause of stroke. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1969 Apr;32(2):129–133. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.32.2.129. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Nasser W. K., Davis R. H., Dillon J. C., Tavel M. E., Helmen C. H., Feigenbaum H., Fisch C. Atrial myxoma. II. Phonocardiographic, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and angiographic features in nine cases. Am Heart J. 1972 Jun;83(6):810–823. doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(72)90215-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. New P. F., Price D. L., Carter B. Cerebral angiography in cardiac myxoma. Correlation of angiographic and histopathological findings. Radiology. 1970 Aug;96(2):335–345. doi: 10.1148/96.2.335. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. PRICHARD R. W. Tumors of the heart; review of the subject and report of 150 cases. AMA Arch Pathol. 1951 Jan;51(1):98–128. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Patte M., Rakofsky M., Telerman M., Struyven J., Demeurisse G., Levi S. Myxome de l'oreillette gauche découvert grâce á l'angiographie cérébrale. Acta Neurol Belg. 1973 Jul-Aug;73(4):252–263. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Peters M. N., Hall R. J., Cooley D. A., Leachman R. D., Garcia E. The clinical syndrome of atrial myxoma. JAMA. 1974 Nov 4;230(5):695–701. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Price D. L., Harris J. L., New P. F., Cantu R. C. Cardiac myxoma. A clinicopathologic and angiographic study. Arch Neurol. 1970 Dec;23(6):558–567. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1970.00480300080011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Read R. C., White H. J., Murphy M. L., Williams D., Sun C. N., Flanagan W. H. The malignant potentiality of left atrial myxoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1974 Dec;68(6):857–868. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. SILVERMAN J., OLWIN J. S., GRAETTINGER J. S. Cardiac myxomas with systemic embolization. Review of the literature and report of a case. Circulation. 1962 Jul;26:99–103. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.26.1.99. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Steinmetz E. F., Calanchini P. R., Aguilar M. J. Left atrial myxoma as a neurological problem: a case report and review. Stroke. 1973 May-Jun;4(3):451–458. doi: 10.1161/01.str.4.3.451. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Stoane L., Allen J. H., Jr, Collins H. A. Radiologic observations in cerebral embolization from left heart myxomas. Radiology. 1966 Aug;87(2):262–266. doi: 10.1148/87.2.262. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Thompson J. R., Simmons C. R. Arterial embolus. Manifestation of unsuspected myxoma. JAMA. 1974 May 13;228(7):864–865. doi: 10.1001/jama.228.7.864. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Walton J. A., Jr, Kahn D. R., Willis P. W., 3rd Recurrence of a left atrial myxoma. Am J Cardiol. 1972 Jun;29(6):872–876. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(72)90510-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Yarnell P. R., Spann J. F., Jr, Dougherty J., Mason D. T. Episodic central nervous system ischemia of undetermined cause: relation to occult left atrial myxoma. Stroke. 1971 Jan-Feb;2(1):35–40. doi: 10.1161/01.str.2.1.35. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES