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Atrial Myxoma as a Cause of Progressive Dementia

J. Thomas Hutton, MD, PhD
[+] Author Affiliations

Accepted for publication Feb 24, 1981.

Reprint requests to Neurology Service (127), VA Medical Center, 54th Street and 48th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55417 (Dr Hutton).


Arch Neurol. 1981;38(8):533-533. doi:10.1001/archneur.1981.00510080095019
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Atrial myxoma can appear with a broad array of systemic and/or neurologic symptoms. This article describes a previously unrecognized initial appearance: progressive multipleinfarct dementia and seizure disorder. This case is reported because of its rarity and because of the potential for therapy if clinically recognized.

REPORT OF A CASE  An 82-year-old man was examined at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center for a one-year history of progressive mental decline. His symptoms began with progressive loss of recent memory, irritability, and narrowing of his range of interests. When driving his car in familiar surroundings, he became lost. His speech output diminished, and he finally was noticed to be disoriented. Eight months after his initial symptoms appeared, he began experiencing brief seizures characterized by stereotyped lapses in contact with his surroundings. On one occasion such an episode progressed to a major motor seizure for which phenytoin sodium was prescribed. He also

REFERENCES

Hirose G, Kosoegawa H, Takado M, et al:  Spinal cord ischemia and left atrial myxoma . Arch Neurol 1979;;36:439.
Schwarz GA, Schwartzman PJ, Joyner CR:  Atrial myxoma cause of embolic stroke . Neurology 1972;;22:1112-1121.
Joynt RJ, Zimmerman G, Khalifeh R:  Cerebral emboli from cardiac tumors . Arch Neurol 1965;;12:84-91.
Maroon JC, Campbell RL:  Atrial myxoma: A treatable cause of stroke . J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1969;;32:129-133.
Rankin LI, Desouza AL:  Metastatic atrial myxoma presenting as intracranial mass . Chest 1978;;74:451-452.
Sandok BA, von Estorff I, Giuliani ER:  CNS embolism due to atrial myxoma: Clinical features and diagnosis . Arch Neurol 1980;;37:485-488.
Schattenberg TT:  Echocardiographic diagnosis of left atrial myxoma . Mayo Clin Proc 1968;;43:620-627.
Tajik AJ, Seward JB, Hagler DJ, et al:  Two-dimensional real-time ultrasonic imaging of the heart and great vessels: Technique, image orientation, structure identification, and validation . Mayo Clin Proc 1978;;53:271-303.
Richardson JV, Brandt B, Doty DB, et al:  Surgical treatment of atrial myxoma: Early and late results of 11 operations and review of the literature . Ann Thorac Surg 1979;;28:354-358.

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Hirose G, Kosoegawa H, Takado M, et al:  Spinal cord ischemia and left atrial myxoma . Arch Neurol 1979;;36:439.
Schwarz GA, Schwartzman PJ, Joyner CR:  Atrial myxoma cause of embolic stroke . Neurology 1972;;22:1112-1121.
Joynt RJ, Zimmerman G, Khalifeh R:  Cerebral emboli from cardiac tumors . Arch Neurol 1965;;12:84-91.
Maroon JC, Campbell RL:  Atrial myxoma: A treatable cause of stroke . J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1969;;32:129-133.
Rankin LI, Desouza AL:  Metastatic atrial myxoma presenting as intracranial mass . Chest 1978;;74:451-452.
Sandok BA, von Estorff I, Giuliani ER:  CNS embolism due to atrial myxoma: Clinical features and diagnosis . Arch Neurol 1980;;37:485-488.
Schattenberg TT:  Echocardiographic diagnosis of left atrial myxoma . Mayo Clin Proc 1968;;43:620-627.
Tajik AJ, Seward JB, Hagler DJ, et al:  Two-dimensional real-time ultrasonic imaging of the heart and great vessels: Technique, image orientation, structure identification, and validation . Mayo Clin Proc 1978;;53:271-303.
Richardson JV, Brandt B, Doty DB, et al:  Surgical treatment of atrial myxoma: Early and late results of 11 operations and review of the literature . Ann Thorac Surg 1979;;28:354-358.

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