Abstract
A 25-year-old female presented with symptoms resembling those of critical mitral stenosis. Echocardiography revealed a left atrial mass without a stalk, which was suspected to be a left atrial myxoma. An irregular soft friable mass was found at surgery. It measured 10 × 8 cm, with finger-like extensions and occupied almost the entire left atrial cavity, extending into the three tributaries of the right pulmonary vein. Histopathology of the excised tumor including electron microscopy showed a pleomorphic cytology interlaced with bundles, areas of necrosis, and occasional bizarre tumor giant cells. Characteristic histiocytes containing lysosomes identified the tumor as malignant fibrous histiocytoma. A postoperative course of radiotherapy with a dose of 4,000 cGy/20 fractions was applied to the mediastinum. At follow-up 4 months later the patient was asymptomatic. This case is reported because of the extreme rarity of left atrial malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
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