Multidetector Computed Tomographic Characterization of a Left Atrial Myxoma

A 57-year-old woman presented to her local hospital with left arm and leg weakness and was diagnosed with a right-sided stroke. A subsequent transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large, poorly-defined mass within the left atrium, which prompted her transfer to our institute for urgent surgical resection. As a prelude to surgery, we performed a " tripartite " coronary CT angiogram to assess the coronary anatomy and left atrial mass (Figure 1). The findings were consistent with a left atrial myxoma and the patient subsequently underwent surgery, where the mass was resected and the diagnosis substantiated (Figure 2). Myxomas have an estimated incidence of 0.007%. Although echocardiography remains the first-line investigation to establish their diagnosis, the current case highlights the typical appearances and usefulness of CT as a second-line investigation when further information is required. Sources of Funding There were no external funding sources for this study. Study Association This study is not associated with any thesis or dissertation work.