Fatal cerebral embolism in a young patient with an occult left atrial myxoma

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2001 Apr;103(1):37-8. doi: 10.1016/s0303-8467(00)00118-9.

Abstract

We report a young patient with a fatal cerebral embolism from an occult atrial myxoma. The patient died before echocardiography was performed and at autopsy the definite diagnosis was made. Our patient suffered from migraine of increasing frequency. The physical exercise of sexual intercourse was the precipitating factor of this fatal embolism. The importance of early echocardiography is stressed, especially in view of the recent tendency of early and aggressive stroke treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Coitus*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / etiology
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology*
  • Intracranial Embolism / etiology*
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / etiology
  • Myxoma / complications*