Cardiac myxoma and its implications for cardioembolic stroke

Table 1 Key points for clinical diagnosis of cardioembolic stroke

Key points	Substance
Clinical features	More common in mid-aged and young women; typical symptoms of cardioembolic stroke
Brain imaging (CT/MRI)	Unilateral multi-territory infarcts (basal ganglia, cerebellum, parietal lobe, and temporal lobe), predominantly involving middle cerebral artery; cerebral hemorrhage or mucinous metastases are rare
Vascular imaging (CTA/MRA, DSA)	A single cerebral artery (especially the MCA) or multiple cerebral arteris stenosis, presenting as multi-segmental occlusion; accompanied by cerebral aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms
Cardiac findings	Confirmed cardiac myxoma
Laboratory findings	Increased serum level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein
Differential diagnosis	Exclusion of other diseases

CT: Computed tomography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; DSA: Digital subtraction angiography; MCA: Middle cerebral artery; CTA: Computed tomography angiography; MRA: Magnetic resonance angiography; CM-IS: Cardiac myxoma-induced stroke.