EchoCardigram

[MilanMiller]

What does this mean:

Left Atrium:
There is evidence of an intra-atrial septal aneurysm

It has been recently discovered from an MRI that my 13 year old daughter has suffered from a stroke.  This is the report back from the Echo Cardigram - now her neurologist is saying everything is normal but we are concerned with what this aneurysm means.

[patsy10]

Yes, it's true there are many people who have these aneurysms.  I work at a cardiology practice and do see people with these.  Most people do not have any problems or symptoms but there are a few that do so it's worth at least getting it checked out by a doctor who specializes in this field.  Best wishes to you and your daughter.

[MilanMiller]

She has not had any neurological symptoms.  The only thing she has ever complained about are awful migraine headaches.  She has had dizzy spells, ringing in her ears, and nausea.  The neurologist called me yesterday and did confirm the aneurysm and said that it was a bulge in the septal wall of her heart.  He said that the bulge is pefectly "normal" and nothing that we shoud worry about - he said people have this all the time.  He also said that the aneurysm and stroke could in no way be connected, but yet when I ask others and search the internet, I find conflicting information.  We are trying to get in to see a pediatric cardiologist, but it will be mid September before we can do that.  

[patsy10]

It certainly would be rare for a 13 year old to have a stroke.  There has to be a reason she had a stroke.  Did she have sudden neurological symptoms?  Is she back to normal? I would get an opinion from a cardiologist if you can.

[MilanMiller]

No.  We did not get an explanation from a cardiologist.  This is straight from the ECHO report that I asked to see from the neurologist.  The neurologist says there is nothing wrong and nothing we should concern ourselves with.  Is that true?  The neurologis says there is nothing else he can do for us.  We are trying to figure out where to go next.

[patsy10]

Did you get an explanation from a cardiologist?  From what I have seen in adults, I believe this is a birth defect.  I have seen people who have problems like this have a stroke.  A clot develops in this area and then moves to the brain. Especially if it's something called a PFO. ( patent foramen ovale).  If you haven't already, I would take her to a pediatric cardiologist.