Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
3D Whole-heart Myocardial Tissue Analysis
Published on: April 12, 2017
Multimodality imaging of foreign bodies in and around the heart
Jeffery E Illman1, Joseph J Maleszewski2, Suzanne C Byrne1
1Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA.
Insights
Radiologists may encounter foreign objects on computed tomography (CT) scans, posing diagnostic challenges. Recognizing, characterizing, and localizing these objects is crucial for determining clinical significance and guiding treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Foreign objects on computed tomography (CT) scans present diagnostic challenges.
- Understanding the origin and implications of cardiac foreign bodies is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common foreign objects encountered in cardiac CT imaging.
- To discuss their recognition, characterization, localization, and clinical significance.
Main Methods:
- Review of imaging findings of foreign objects in and around the heart.
- Correlation of imaging findings with clinical presentation and pathology.
Main Results:
- Foreign objects are often related to penetrating trauma or venous embolization.
- Objects can be symptomatic or asymptomatic, requiring clinical evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Familiarity with cardiac foreign objects aids prompt medical attention and appropriate treatment.
- This review aims to enhance clinician understanding of these imaging findings.
Abstract:
Foreign objects are occasionally seen on computed tomography and could pose a diagnostic challenge to the radiologist and clinicians. It is important to recognize, characterize and localize these objects and determine their clinical significance. Most foreign objects in and around the heart are the result of direct penetrating injury or represent venous embolization to the heart. Foreign objects may cause symptoms and require prompt medical attention or maybe asymptomatic. Clinicians should be familiar with foreign objects that are encountered and understand treatment options. This paper looks at some of foreign objects that can be found and correlates with pathology where possible.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for...
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...