Cutaneous embolization of cardiac myxoma

• Published in: British journal of dermatology (1951) Vol. 147; no. 2; pp. 379 - 382
• Main Authors: García‐F‐Villalta, M.J., Sanz‐Sánchez, T., Aragüés, M., Blasco, A., Fraga, J., García‐Diez, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-08-2002; Blackwell; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; atrial myxoma; Biological and medical sciences; cardiac tumours; Cardiology. Vascular system; Dermatology; Heart; Heart Neoplasms - complications; Heart Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Myxoma - complications; Myxoma - surgery; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; Skin Diseases - etiology; Skin Diseases - pathology; Skin Diseases - surgery; skin embolization; Tumors of the heart; Vascular disorders of the skin; Heart; Case study; Human; Myxoma; Atrium; Skin disease; Tumoral embolism; Cardiovascular disease; Tumor; Skin; Diagnosis; Erythema
• ISSN: 0007-0963; 1365-2133
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04807.x

Summary Atrial myxoma is the most common primary tumour of the heart. Skin manifestations in patients with a cardiac myxoma are frequent and may be due to cutaneous emboli, or may be specific findings as part of more complex syndromes. We present a 33‐year‐old‐man with a history of episodes of pain in both legs and an ischaemic neurological event, who also had episodes of acral papular erythematous lesions on the legs and feet including the soles. The histological finding of dermal vessels occluded by a myxomatous material was the clue to the diagnosis of a cardiac myxoma. The diagnosis of this entity can be very difficult, because of the broad spectrum of clinical features; rarely the skin manifestations lead to the diagnosis of this tumour. The histological recognition of the myxomatous emboli is of vital importance for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.