Cutaneous findings associated with cardiac myxomas

The clinical diagnosis of cardiac myxomas remains a challenge despite the a dvent of echocardiographic technology. These tumors may produce a variety o f clinical and laboratory findings that can mimic systemic disease and obsc ure the proper diagnosis. Although histological benign, cardiac myxomas may cause significant morbidity and mortality via intracardiac obstruction and arterial embolism. Possible longterm sequelae may be avoided by early reco gnition and prompt surgical excision. We briefly review the various finding s associated with cardiac myxomas (nonfamilial and familial) with emphasis on cutaneous presentations. An illustrative case of left atrial myxoma with cutaneous findings contributing to the diagnosis is discussed. Certain ski n lesions and multifocal clinical findings should alert the clinician to co nsider cardiac myxoma in the differential diagnosis.