MYXOMA OF THE MITRAL-VALVE DETECTED BY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

Myxomas of the mitral valve diagnosed during life are exceedingly rare . We employed transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging enhanced by gadolinium-diethylene-triamine- pentaacetic acid in a patient with palpitations. After these examinati ons clearly demonstrated a myxoma on the atrial side of the posterior mitral valve leaflet, urgent surgery was performed When a small tumour of the mitral valve exists, these examinations are useful not only fo r detecting and characterizing the tumour, but also for deciding the o ptimal surgical management.