Cardiac mass evaluation with cardiac computed tomography: A review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cardiac masses are uncommon, encompassing benign/malignant neoplasms and pseudo-tumors.
• Accurate diagnosis and characterization are crucial for patient management.
• Echocardiography is a primary non-invasive tool for initial detection and assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the diagnostic goals for imaging cardiac masses.
• To review the role of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in evaluating cardiac masses.
• To highlight CCT as a valuable imaging modality.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of imaging modalities for cardiac masses, focusing on CT.
• Review of CT's capabilities in mass detection, localization, and characterization.
• Evaluation of CT's utility in assessing mass effects on adjacent cardiac structures.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography is effective for initial detection and assessing myocardial/pericardial involvement.
• Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a common second-line modality.
• Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) provides high spatial/temporal resolution, is widely available, and fast.

Conclusions:

• CT is a powerful tool for cardiac mass evaluation.
• CCT aids in confirming mass presence, location, and nature (benign/malignant).
• The study emphasizes CT's role in assessing the relationship of cardiac masses to adjacent structures.