Magnetic resonance imaging of cardiac masses

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging plays a pivotal role in the diagnostic workup of cardiac masses. In many cases it is possible to arrive at a likely diagnosis, while features suggestive of a conclusive diagnosis are detected in a small number of cases.

An internal audit of all patients referred with a cardiac mass detected on echocardiography was conducted for the period 2004-2007. Twenty-two cases were identified and MR characteristics including localization, tissue characteristics, primary nature versus secondary deposits and extracardiac features were studied.

Six masses were intramyocardial, eleven were intracavitary and three were extraeardiac in localization. A highly probable diagnosis was possible in fourteen cases including six primary tumors, three extracardiac tumors, three secondary deposits and two thrombi.

A highly probable diagnosis was possible in half of our patients with cardiac masses on echocardiography referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the p receding three-year period. It was also possible to determine localization, extent of disease and relation to adjacent structures.