Background: We present a case of infected atrial myxoma simulating bacterial endocarditis.
Material and methods: A 75 year old male, without any antecedents of interest, with fever an evolution a month, and a cardiac murmur. Blood cultures were practiced by BACTEC N.R. 730 system. The diagnosis was performed by the bidimensional and transesophageal echo, and confirmed with the resection from surgery. The method of bibliographical review used, has been the data base of comprehensive Medline, cvc since 1987 up June 1992 and the Oncodise's Concerlit archive from the year 1985 up to june 1992 the date base of the IME (Indice Médico Español) was also review up to April 1992.
Results: The blood cultures were positive, 7/7 Streptococcus viridans and 3/7 a Staphylococcus epidermidis resistant to meticiline, we them with the same antibiogram. Echocardiography and angiography show a lef atrial mass, surgical resection of the mass, confirmed the hystological diagnostic of the myxoma and signs of infection.
Conclusions: This is the first case in our country, with shows the rarity of it. We analyze the differential diagnosis with the non infected myxoma and the bacterial endocarditis. We think that there should be an early surgical treatment, together with antibiotic therapy, due to the high incidence of embolism in theses patients.