Magnetic resonance imaging features of an infected right atrial myxoma

Myxomas are the most common primary intracardiac tumours, most commonly occurring in the left atrium, and rarely become infected. A search of the published research located only six case reports of infected right atrial myxoma. In this seventh reported case, the MRI findings are presented for the first time. MRI demonstrated similar finger-like projections or filiform appearance of the surface of the myxoma which was best demonstrated on cine gradient-echo and Gd-DTPA enhanced images. Together with positive blood culture, a diagnosis of infected myxoma was made. Copyright (2001) Blackwell Science Pty Ltd