Left atrial intramural hematoma after removal of atrial myxoma: cardiac magnetic resonance in the differential diagnosis of intra-cardiac mass.

Left atrial (LA) dissection is a rare entity, which is, in most cases, observed after valvular intervention. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered to be a modality of choice in the diagnosis of LA dissection. However, LA dissection might be missed clinically in the absence of significant hemodynamic changes, and moreover physicians are occasionally reluctant to perform TEE due to its semi-invasiveness. Recently, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been introduced as a modality to perform different roles to existing imaging modalities, such as echocardiography. Given that CMR can provide information on tissue characteristics, it may give incremental information to TEE. We here present a rare case of LA dissection following LA myxoma removal, where CMR can make a correct diagnosis and guide management strategy.