murmur in atrial myxoma

Q: Auscultation of murmur in left atrial myxoma sounds to be like murmur of which cardiac valvular disease? 



Answer: mitral stenosis (MS)

Murmur in atrial myxoma occurs when the tumor is moved toward the left atrium through the mitral orifice, and when the flow across the valve is still continuing. The best way to distinguish the murmur of MS and atrial myxoma is by altering patient's position. In experienced hand/ear, the sound of "tumor plop" point towards the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma. ECHO is needed to confirm the diagnosis. 

Similarly, on the other side, right atrial myxoma which is less common than left atrial myxoma has auscultatory findings similar to tricuspid stenosis.

#cardiology
#physical-exam


Reference:

Nasser WK, Davis RH, Dillon JC, et al. Atrial myxoma. I. Clinical and pathologic features in nine cases. Am Heart J 1972; 83:694.