[Cardiac tumors: CT and MR imaging features]

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Oncology

Context:

• Cardiac tumors require accurate characterization for diagnosis and treatment.
• Differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic cardiac lesions is clinically significant.
• Advanced cross-sectional imaging plays a crucial role in cardiac mass evaluation.

Purpose:

• To review the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of primary cardiac tumors.
• To illustrate how imaging features can differentiate cardiac tumors from pseudotumoral lesions.
• To highlight the utility of CT and MR in assessing tumor nature, relationship to adjacent structures, and guiding surgical management.

Summary:

• CT and MR imaging present distinct features for evaluating cardiac tumors.
• Imaging findings aid in distinguishing malignant from benign lesions and pseudotumoral mimics.
• These modalities are essential for presurgical assessment and postsurgical monitoring of cardiac masses.

Impact:

• Improved diagnostic accuracy for cardiac tumors.
• Enhanced presurgical planning and risk stratification.
• Facilitation of effective postsurgical follow-up strategies.