Abstract
Background
Ischemic stroke in the pediatric population is a rare occurrence, and its possible
causes span a wide differential that includes atrial myxomas. Myxomas are friable
cardiac tumors that produce “showers” of emboli resulting in transient neurological
deficits, cutaneous eruptions, and ophthalmologic deficits.
Patient
We present an 11-year-old boy with a months-long history of an intermittent spotted
“rash” who presented with acute ischemic stroke caused by a left atrial myxoma. We
also review clinical features in all 16 other cases of cardiac myxoma causing pediatric
stroke reported in the literature.
Results
Our case, along with the review of the literature, highlights the fact that myxomas
often initially present as stroke with acute hemiplegia and transient cutaneous eruptions
due to fragmentation of the tumor.
Conclusions
Cardiac myxoma should be considered in any child presenting with ischemic stroke,
and transient skin findings may provide an important diagnostic clue prior to onset
of neurological symptoms.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 09, 2014
Accepted:
January 1,
2014
Received:
October 31,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
