MRI and CT appearances of cardiac tumours in adults

Clin Radiol. 2009 Dec;64(12):1214-30. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2009.09.002. Epub 2009 Oct 21.

Abstract

Primary cardiac tumours are rare, and metastases to the heart are much more frequent. Myxoma is the commonest benign primary tumour and sarcomas account for the majority of malignant lesions. Clinical manifestations are diverse, non-specific, and governed by the location, size, and aggressiveness. Imaging plays a central role in their evaluation, and familiarity with characteristic features is essential to generate a meaningful differential diagnosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the reference technique for evaluation of a suspected cardiac mass. Computed tomography (CT) provides complementary information and, with the advent of electrocardiographic gating, has become a powerful tool in its own right for cardiac morphological assessment. This paper reviews the MRI and CT features of primary and secondary cardiac malignancy. Important differential considerations and potential diagnostic pitfalls are also highlighted.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Fibroma / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangioma / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Lipoma / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myxoma / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue / diagnosis
  • Papilloma / diagnosis
  • Paraganglioma / diagnosis
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Contrast Media