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Neuropediatrics 2020; 51(06): 389-396
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1710338
Review Article

Cardiac Myxoma as a Rare Cause of Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke: Case Report and Literature Review

Clarissa Tona‡   *
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Margherita Nosadini    *
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Maria F. Pelizza
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Jacopo N. Pin
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Laura Baggio
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Clementina Boniver
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Joseph D. Gabrieli
2   Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Francesco Causin
2   Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Irene Toldo
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
,
Stefano Sartori
1   Paediatric Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padova, Italy
› Author Affiliations Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Abstract

Background Cardiac disorders are the second leading cause of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). Limited literature is available on pediatric AIS caused by cardiac myxoma, a rare tumor in childhood.

Methods We describe a new case of pediatric AIS due to a previously unknown atrial myxoma and we conduct a literature review on children with AIS due to cardiac myxoma.

Results We identified 41 published pediatric cases of AIS and cardiac myxoma, including ours (56% males, median age at AIS was 11 years [range: 3–18]). AIS presentation was most frequently with hemiparesis/hemiplegia (89%). Multiple brain ischemic lesions were detected in 69% of patients, and arteriopathy in 91%. Seven patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy. At AIS presentation, 73% of children had one or more of the following clinical symptoms/signs suggesting a possible underlying cardiac myxoma: Carney's complex, cardiac auscultation abnormalities, extraneurological symptoms/signs, such as skin signs (12, 38, and 65%, respectively). Cardiac myxoma was diagnosed within 72 hours in 68% of cases. Death occurred in 11%, and 40% had persistent neurological deficits.

Conclusion Neurological presentation of AIS due to cardiac myxoma is similar to that of AIS with other etiologies, although clues suggesting a possible underlying cardiac myxoma can be detected in most cases. A timely diagnosis of cardiac myxoma in patients with AIS may favor prompt identification of candidates for endovascular therapy. Therefore, we suggest that in otherwise-healthy children presenting with AIS, transthoracic echocardiography should be performed early after stroke presentation.

Keywords

cardiac myxoma - arterial ischemic stroke - transthoracic echocardiography - pediatric - children

Disclosures

The authors report no disclosures.


* Contributed equally to this work.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 24 December 2019

Accepted: 02 April 2020

Article published online:
05 May 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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