[A case of right atrial myxoma--the availability of transesophageal echocardiography in the detection of right atrial myxoma].

A 72-year-old woman had experienced palpitation and fatigue during exertion for two months and was referred to our hospital from her nearby hospital. On physical examination, a systolic murmur was heard in the left fourth intercostal space. A chest X-ray film showed cardiac enlargement (CTR 64%). An ECG showed elevated P waves in leads II, III. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large oval heterogeneous mass in the right atrium. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed the right atrial mass clearly, which was attached to the atrial septum with a short wide stalk. This mass prolapsed from the right atrium into the right ventricle in diastole. And there were some cysts in the homogeneous high-echoic lesion. The chest CT and MRI also showed the mass in the right atrium. However, these images were not clear. Surgical excision of the mass was undertaken. A solid mass measuring 75 x 50 x 45 mm was attached to the fossa ovalis with a wide short stalk. There were several cysts in the mass. Pathological examination showed myxomatous tissue. In this case, TEE was the most valuable means for evaluation of the right atrial mass.