How common are cardiac myxomas?

A myxoma is a primary heart (cardiac) tumor. This means that the tumor started within the heart. Most heart tumors start somewhere else. Primary cardiac tumors such as myxomas are rare.

What causes cardiac myxomas?

Although there is not a well-defined underlying cause for myxomas, it is suspected to be the result of a combination of environmental and genetic risk factors. Cardiac myxomas can cause valvular obstruction, leading to episodes of fainting, pulmonary edema, symptoms of right heart failure, or embolisms.

What is the most common location of cardiac myxoma?

About 75% of myxomas occur in the left atrium of the heart. They most often begin in the wall that divides the two upper chambers of the heart. They can occur in other intra-cardiac sites as well.

Are cardiac myxomas benign?

A myxoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth in the heart. Myxomas can be as small as a few millimetres or grow to a few centimetres. Most myxomas develop in the area of the heart called the atrium, which is the top left chamber of the heart.

Do myxomas enhance?

While myxomas may show some mild heterogeneous enhancement on first pass perfusion studies performed at rest immediately following contrast agent administration, these lesions often show more heterogeneous enhancement on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequences, performed 10–15 min after gadolinium contrast …

How can you tell the difference between a thrombus and a myxoma?

In addition, mobility with cardiac cycle and the absence of any additional masses in the left atrial appendage favor the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma. But, the presence of stenotic mitral valve together with atrial fibrillation favor the diagnosis of atrial thrombus.

Is a thrombus a mass?

is a solid mass of platelets and/or fibrin (and other components of blood) that forms locally in a vessel. Thrombi form when the clotting mechanism is activated. This is supposed to happen when you are injured.