“Isolated central retinal artery occlusion as a presenting
manifestation of cardiac myxoma.”
Abstract
Background: Central retinal Artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmic
emergency and the ocular analogue of the cerebral stroke. Atrial myxomas
are the most common benign primary cardiac tumor. We report a case of
undiagnosed left atrium (LA) myxoma who presented with sudden onset
blindness in right eye due to CRAO as a sole manifestation and
echocardiographic characteristics of myxoma which increases the risk of
embolism. Methods: A 52-year old woman presented with history of sudden
onset blindness in right eye. Fundus examination was suggestive of CRAO.
Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram showed a mass in LA
compatible with LA myxoma. Complete surgical resection of myxoma was
done although vision could not be restored to normal. Conclusion:
Detailed history and complete systemic examination should be done in
every patient with embolic phenomena and early neuroimaging with
echocardiography using newer modality like 3D imaging should be used
even in absence of electrocardiographic or auscultatory abnormalities.
Key words: Myxoma, retinal artery occlusion, embolism, 3 dimensional
echocardiography