CT findings of atrial myxoma.

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of six atrial myxomas was analyzed. Five of the myxomas were located in the left atrium and one was in the right atrium. The margin of the myxoma was at least slightly lobulated in five cases and the content was inhomogeneous in all. Calcification was demonstrated in three cases. The site of attachment of the myxoma was demonstrated by CT to be the atrial septum in all cases. The CT findings correlated well with the operative findings. CT revealed prolapse of the myxoma into the ventricle in two cases. This finding was similar to echocardiographic and cineangiographic findings. It is concluded that it is possible with CT to diagnose atrial myxoma by the location and nature of the intracardiac mass and to differentiate it from thrombus.