Cardiac amyloidosis: typical imaging findings and diffuse myocardial damage demonstrated by delayed contrast-enhanced

Eijun Sueyoshi1, Ichiro Sakamoto, Tomoaki Okimoto

  • 1Department of Radiology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan. EijunSueyoshi@aol.com

Insights

Cardiac amyloidosis, a rare condition, often leads to heart failure. This case highlights how advanced MRI techniques can reveal characteristic myocardial enhancement patterns indicative of amyloid deposition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by amyloid protein deposition.
  • Cardiac involvement is a frequent and often fatal complication of amyloidosis.

Observation:

  • This report details the sonographic, scintigraphic, and MRI findings in a confirmed case of cardiac amyloidosis.
  • Delayed contrast-enhanced MRI demonstrated diffuse myocardial enhancement in both ventricles.

Findings:

  • The observed enhancement pattern on MRI suggests an expanded extracellular space within the myocardium.
  • This is attributed to diffuse myocardial necrosis resulting from amyloid deposition.

Implications:

  • Advanced MRI imaging is crucial for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis.
  • Understanding these imaging features aids in recognizing the extent of myocardial damage in this condition.

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