Cardiac inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: evaluation with dual-source CT

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare, slow-growing neoplasm with potential for local invasion.
• Cardiac masses require accurate characterization for appropriate management.
• Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is increasingly utilized for cardiac mass evaluation.

Observation:

• A case of cardiac IMT was assessed using retrospectively gated dual-source cardiac CT.
• Key imaging findings included broad-based attachment, lobulated contour, and patchy contrast enhancement.
• Persistent enhancement on delayed imaging was noted, suggesting specific tissue characteristics.

Findings:

• Dual-source cardiac CT effectively visualized the cardiac IMT.
• Specific imaging features like lobulation and persistent delayed enhancement were characteristic.
• The study highlights the utility of delayed-enhancement sequences for tissue characterization.

Implications:

• Cardiac CT, particularly with delayed imaging, plays a crucial role in evaluating cardiac masses.
• This technique aids in differentiating IMTs from other cardiac lesions.
• Improved diagnostic accuracy can guide treatment strategies for rare cardiac tumors.