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Primary intracardiac tumors in magnetic resonance imaging
K Yamashita1, K Togashi, S Minami
1Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Abstract:
Fifteen patients suspected of having 18 intracardiac masses by two-dimensional echocardiography underwent MR imaging. In MR imaging, intracardiac masses were evaluated on both short TE (TE = 20-35 msec) and long TE (TE = 50-80 msec) spin echo sequences, and were differentiated from myocardium or papillary muscle. Three masses were excluded (they were papillary muscle) by MR imaging, and three were additionally found in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Fifteen masses were found by both echocardiography and MR imaging, one of which was stagnant blood. Cine MR imaging was needed to differentiate between thrombus and stagnant blood. MR imaging is useful for the evaluation of intracardiac masses. It is recommended in addition to echocardiography when cardiac tumors are suspected, especially in patients with tuberous sclerosis.
Insights
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging aids in evaluating intracardiac masses, distinguishing them from heart muscle. It is recommended alongside echocardiography for suspected cardiac tumors, particularly in tuberous sclerosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
- Radiology
Background:
- Two-dimensional echocardiography is a primary tool for detecting intracardiac masses.
- Limitations exist in differentiating masses from normal cardiac structures and identifying specific mass types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in characterizing intracardiac masses identified by echocardiography.
- To assess MR imaging's ability to differentiate masses from myocardium and papillary muscle.
- To determine the added value of MR imaging in cases of suspected cardiac tumors, especially in specific patient populations.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen patients with suspected intracardiac masses underwent MR imaging.
- Spin echo sequences with short (TE = 20-35 msec) and long (TE = 50-80 msec) echo times were utilized.
- Cine MR imaging was employed for dynamic assessment.
Main Results:
- MR imaging excluded three masses initially suspected by echocardiography, identifying them as papillary muscle.
- Three additional masses were detected in patients with tuberous sclerosis.
- Fifteen masses were confirmed by both modalities; one was identified as stagnant blood, requiring cine MR for differentiation from thrombus.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging is a valuable tool for evaluating intracardiac masses.
- It effectively differentiates masses from myocardium and papillary muscle.
- MR imaging is recommended as an adjunct to echocardiography for suspected cardiac tumors, particularly in tuberous sclerosis, and for differentiating thrombus from stagnant blood.