A puzzling neurological illness in a patient with a clinically normal heart was explained at autopsy by cerebral embolization from a left atrial myxoma (LAM). Constitutional symptoms associated with LAM were present. Cerebral angiography revealed aneurysms and focal areas of abnormal blushing. Cerebral and cardiac pathology is presented.
The surgical follow-up of seven other cases is reported to determine the "curability" of such tumors.
We believe that echocardiography should be performed in any case of suspected cerebral embolization even though cardiac symptoms and signs may be absent.
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