Myxoma of the mitral valve associated with Hemophilus parainfluenza bacteremia

ABSTRACT

A 17-year-old girl who presented with signs and symptoms of bacterial endocarditis did not respond clinically to antibiotic therapy. Cerebral embolic episodes subsequently occurred. Serial echocardiography disclosed an enlarging vegetation attached to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. During open heart surgery, the vegetation was removed, which on histological examination proved to be a myxoma covered by a layer of septic thrombus. Blood cultures obtained preoperatively eventually grew Hemophilus parainfluenza. Removal of the tumor, as well as mitral valve annuloplasty, resulted in complete cure.