Tumor Plop

The tumor plop is a high-pitched sound best heard with the diaphragm of the stethoscope. The classic tumor plop originates from an atrial tumor obstructing the mitral orifice, resulting in an early diastolic sound from either 1) tumor tensing, 2) valve obstruction, or 3) tumor impact against the chamber walls. It is often confused for an opening snap. Depending on the anatomic location of the tumor, the tumor plop can sometimes be heard in systole rather than early diastole.

 

Patient 1:

This young man was admitted to the hospital for pain related to metastatic sarcoma. There are three discrete sounds before S2. One of those sounds is S1. The other two sounds are “tumor plops”. Echocardiography showed a lobulated mass in the interventricular septum projecting into the submitral apparatus, measuring 4.3 x 4.4 cm at greatest dimension. 

Tumor Plop

Annotated

Tumor Plop

Annotated

Tumor Plop

Annotated

Tumor Plop

Annotated

Tumor Plop

Annotated