Widespread systemic and peripheral embolization of left atrial myxoma following blunt chest trauma

Cardiac myxomas are the most common benign primary cardiac neoplasms, typically arising from the interatrial septum at the border of the fossa ovalis. They are generally divided into two anatomic types - ovoid and papillary myxomas - the latter of which are less common but more frequently associated with embolic events. Despite their high embolic potential, however, widespread systemic and peripheral embolization, particularly to the lower extremities, is still uncommon. Furthermore, systemic tumor embolization secondary to trauma is only rarely reported and predominantly associated with major blunt force trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents. Herein, we report a case of a 24-year-old male with widespread systemic and peripheral embolization of a left atrial myxoma, resulting in bilateral lower extremity ischemia, as well as multiple infarcts in major solid organs, including the heart, triggered by blunt chest trauma incurred during a basketball game.