Computed tomography: a new method for diagnosing tumor of the heart

An unsuspected metastasis of liposarcoma of the heart was detected on a computed tomographic (CT) examination of the chest. Further CT study with i.v. contrast administration gave excellent delineation of the tumor. Compared with two-dimensional echocardiography and angiocardiography, CT was best at showing the myocardial and intrapericardial extension of the tumor, but did not show movement of the tumor during the cardiac cycle. CT is a useful noninvasive method for evaluating cardiac metastasis. Its advantages and disadvantages with respect to echocardiography and angiocardiography are discussed.