An unusual cause of stroke from a left atrial mass.

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital after having severe headache for 1 day. Her medical history was significant for coronary artery disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and rheumatic heart disease. The patient was in remission from stage II left breast cancer (T2 N0 M0) in 1997, treated with lumpectomy, 6 cycles of chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil), and local radiation therapy (total 6000 cGy). Head magnetic resonance imaging scan showed left occipital hemorrhage. Subsequent angiogram showed a possible mycotic aneurysm of distal parietal occipital branch of the posterior cerebral artery. Cardiology was consulted to evaluate for a cardioembolic source.