Work

Intermittent Diplopia and Dyspnea: The Subtle Face of a Cardiac Myxoma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Cardiac myxomas are rare primary cardiac tumors that present with clinical features that mimic a broad range of pathology; therefore, understanding the manifestations of the disease is essential for prompt diagnosis. In this case, a 53-year-old male presented after an episode of presyncope, with a six-month history of diplopia, diffuse finger and toe pain, exertional shortness of breath, cyclical fevers, and fatigue. It is a subtle, nonspecific presentation more suggestive of rheumatological or neurological disease than a primary cardiac pathology. MRI of the brain showed no acute pathology, but further workup revealed elevated inflammatory markers, pulmonary congestion, and rSr' pattern on EKG, suggesting possible right ventricular (RV) strain or conduction system disease. To evaluate for structural heart disease causing presyncope, an echocardiogram revealed a left atrial mass that was excised with resolution of symptoms.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.82537

Authors: Zachary R Spahr, Kyle Bruun, Mostafa Vasigh, Debanik Chaudhuri

Institutions: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, University of Minnesota, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac tumors and thrombi

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4409576754