A balloon-like cardiac myxoma mimicking a blood-filled cyst.

BACKGROUND: Myxoma is the most common benign cardiac tumor. We reported a rare variant of balloon-like cystic cardiac myxoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old woman presented with exertional dyspnea, chest tightness, and intermittent dizziness. Electrocardiogram and laboratory studies were unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) revealed a balloon-like cystic mass in the left atrium mimicking a blood-filled cyst. Contrast echocardiography demonstrated a contrast-filled lesion with iso-myocardial enhancement. Transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) identified a distinct arterial inflow at the cyst base and an outflow orifice, which was further confirmed during surgery by the administration of cardioplegic solution. The mass was successfully resected and confirmed a cystic cardiac myxoma. DISCUSSIONS: Cystic myxoma is a rare variant with only few cases reported. The presented balloon-like variant of myxoma exhibited unique anatomical and hemodynamic features that elucidate its formation mechanism.