SpringerLink
Log in

Role of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of tumors in the cardiac region

  • Cardiac
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

The aim of this study was to review the role of MRI in the assessment of heart neoplasm, 25 cases with heart neoplasm (10 myxoma, 6 rhabdomyoma, 5 angiosarcoma, 2 mesothelioma, 1 lymphoma, and 1 fibroma) were examined with MRI and echocardiography. Multislice T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images and static gradient-echo images were taken in appropriate directions with electrocardiogram gating. Gadolinium enhancement was performed in 21 cases. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all cases. Except for the 5 patients with rhabdomyoma, the pathological diagnosis was obtained. MRI proved to be useful for tissue characterization of myxoma, angiosarcoma, mesothelioma, and fibroma in cases with tuberous sclerosis. MRI also proved to be useful for detection of the tumor, depiction of contour, relation with other cardiac structures, in cases with myxoma, angiosarcoma, mesothelioma, lymphoma, and fibroma. In the differential diagnosis, MRI provided important information in cases with myxoma, rhabdomyoma, angiosarcoma, and fibroma. In cases with tumors expanding into the mediastinum, such as mesothelioma and fibroma in this report, MRI was useful in determining the location and border. In cases with tumors adjacent to pericardium, MRI was useful in detecting pericardial invasion. Gadolinium enhancement added useful information in cases with myxoma, rhabdomyoma, angiosarcoma, and mesothelioma. The role of MRI with and without Gd enhancement differs somewhat in individual types of heart neoplasm, and adaptation must be considered in each kind of neoplasm. On the other hand, MRI is an essential examination in all cases with a cardiac mass, which has not been diagnosed, since it may provide useful information for the differential diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1a–d.
Fig. 2a–c.
Fig. 3a–d.
Fig. 4a–d.
Fig. 5a, b.
Fig. 6a–c.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Meng Q, Lai H, Lima J, Tong W, Qian Y, Lai S (2002) Echocardiographic and pathologic characteristics of primary cardiac tumors: a study of 149 cases. Int J Cardiol 84:69–75

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Endo A, Ohtahara A, Kinugawa T, Nawada T, Fujimoto Y, Mashiba H, Shigemasa C (1996) Clinical incidence of primary cardiac tumors. J Cardiol 28:227–234

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Perchinsky MJ, Lichtenstein SV, Tyers GF (1997) Primary cardiac tumors: 40 years' experience with 71 patients. Cancer 79:1809–1815

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Grande AM, Ragni T, Vigano M (1993) Primary cardiac tumors. A clinical experience of 12 years. Tex Heart Inst J 20:223–230

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Molina JE, Edwards JE, Ward HB (1990) Primary cardiac tumors: experience at the University of Minnesota. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 38 (Suppl) 2:183–191

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Araoz PA, Eklund HE, Welch TJ, Breen JF (1999) CT and MR imaging of primary cardiac malignancies. Radiographics 19:1421–1434

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Brown JJ, Barakos JA, Higgins CB (1989) Magnetic resonance imaging of cardiac and paracardiac masses. J Thorac Imaging 4:58–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hoffmann U, Globits S, Frank H (1998) Cardiac and paracardiac masses. Current opinion on diagnostic evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Heart J 19:553–563

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Amparo EG, Higgins CB, Farmer D, Gamsu G, McNamara M (1984) Gated MRI of cardiac and paracardiac masses: initial experience. AJR 143:1151–1156

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Schvartzman PR, White RD (2000) Imaging of cardiac and paracardiac masses. J Thorac Imaging. 15:265–273

    Google Scholar 

  11. Siripornpitak S, Higgins CB (1997) MRI of primary malignant cardiovascular tumors. J Comput Assist Tomogr 21:462–466

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Funari M, Fujita N, Peck WW, Higgins CB (1991) Cardiac tumors: assessment with Gd-DTPA enhanced MR imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr 15:953–958

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Matsuoka H, Hamada M, Honda T, Kawakami H, Abe M, Shigematsu Y, Sumimoto T, Hiwada K (1996) Morphologic and histologic characterization of cardiac myxomas by magnetic resonance imaging. Angiology 47:693–698

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kim EE, Wallace S, Abello R, Coan JD, Ewer MS, Salem PA, Ali MK (1989) Malignant cardiac fibrous histiocytomas and angiosarcomas: MR features. J Comput Assist Tomogr 13:627–632

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Moosdorf R, Scheld HH, Hehrlein FW (1990) Tumors of the heart. Experiences at the Giessen University Clinic. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 38 (Suppl 2):208–210

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Li GY (1990) Incidence and clinical importance of cardiac tumors in China: review of the literature. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 38 (Suppl 2):205–207

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sezai Y (1990) Tumors of the heart. Incidence and clinical importance of cardiac tumors in Japan and operative technique for large left atrial tumors. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 38 (Suppl 2):201–204

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Tschirkov A, Michev B, Topalov V, Michailov D, Jurukova Z, Petkov R (1990) Incidences and surgical aspects of cardiac myxomas in Bulgaria. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 38 (Suppl 2):196–200

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Blondeau P (1990) Primary cardiac tumors: French studies of 533 cases. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 38 (Suppl 2):192–195

    Google Scholar 

  20. Sommer T, Vahlhaus C, Hofer U, Smekal A von, Wardelmann E, Bierhoff E, Pauleit D, Wilhelm K, Textor J, Schild H (1999) MRI diagnosis of cardiac myxomas: sequence evaluation and differential diagnosis. Rofo Fortschr Geb Rontgenstr Neuen Bildgeb Verfahr 170:156–162

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Burke AP, Virmani R (1993) Cardiac myxoma. A clinicopathologic study. Am J Clin Pathol 100:671–680

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Pucillo AL, Schechter AG, Kay RH, Moggio R, Herman MV (1990) Identification of calcified intracardiac lesions using gradient echo MR imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr 14:743–747

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. de Roos A, Weijers E, van Duinen S, van der Wall EE (1989) Calcified right atrial myxoma demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. Chest 95:478–479

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Masui T, Takahashi M, Miura K, Naito M, Tawarahara K (1995) Cardiac myxoma: identification of intratumoral hemorrhage and calcification on MR images. AJR 164:850–852

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Reynen K (1995). Cardiac myxomas. N Engl J Med 333:1610–1617

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Spuentrup E, Kuehl HP, Wall A, Heer C, Buecker A (2001). Visualization of cardiac myxoma mobility with real-time spiral magnetic resonance imaging. Circulation 104:E101–E111

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Paydarfar D, Krieger D, Dib N, Blair RH, Pastore JO, Stetz JJ Jr, Symes JF (2001) In vivo magnetic resonance imaging and surgical histopathology of intracardiac masses: distinct features of subacute thrombi. Cardiology 95:40–47

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Siwach SB, Katyal VK, Jagdish (1999) Intracardiac mass lesions: experience of 14 cases. Indian Heart J 51:414–417

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Child JS, MacAlpin RN, Moyer GH, Shanley JD, Layfield LJ (1979) Coronary ostial embolus and mitral vegetation simulating a left atrial myxoma: a case of probable cryptococcal valvulitis. Clin Cardiol 2:43–48

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Rienmuller R, Lloret JL, Tiling R, Groh J, Manert W, Muller KD, Seifert K (1989) MR imaging of pediatric cardiac tumors previously diagnosed by echocardiography. J Comput Assist Tomogr 13:621–626

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Sallee ML, Spector DW, van Heeckeren, Patel CR (1999) Primary pediatric cardiac tumors: a 17 year experience. Cardiol Young 9:155–162

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Wann LS, Sampson C, Liu Y (1998) Cardiac and paracardiac masses: complementary role of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Echocardiography 15:139–146

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Berkenblit R, Spindola-Franco H, Frater RW, Fish BB, Glickstein JS (1997) MRI in the evaluation and management of a newborn infant with cardiac rhabdomyoma. Ann Thorac Surg 63:1475–1477

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Donegani G (1972) Tuberous sclerosis. Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 14. North Holland Publishers, Amsterdam, pp 340–349

  35. Mousseaux E, Idy-Peretti I, Bittoun J, Diebold B, Paulylaubry C, Carpentier A, Gaux JC (1992) MR tissue characterization of a right atrial mass: diagnosis of a lipoma. J Comput Assist Tomogr 16:148–151

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Matsumura M, Nishioka K, Yamashita K, Yoshibayashi M, Okuno T, Konishi J, Shimizu T, Temma S, Ueda T, Mikawa H (1991) Evaluation of cardiac tumors in tuberous sclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Cardiol 68:281–283

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Janigan DT, Husain A, Robinson NA (1986) Cardiac angiosarcomas. A review and a case report. Cancer 57:852–859

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Bruna J, Lockwood M (1998) Primary heart angiosarcoma detected by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Eur Radiol 8:66–68

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Yahata S, Endo T, Honma H, Ino T, Hayakawa H, Ogawa M, Hayashi H, Kumazaki T (1994) Sunray appearance on enhanced magnetic resonance image of cardiac angiosarcoma with pericardial obliteration. Am Heart J 127:468–471

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Inoko M, Iga K, Kyo K, Kondo H, Tamura T, Izumi C, Kitagichi S, Hirozane T, Himura Y, Gen H, Konishi T (2001) Primary cardiac angiosarcoma detected by magnetic resonance imaging but not by computed tomography. Intern Med 40:391–395

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Masauzi N, Ichikawa S, Nishimura F, Yoshino Y, Mihara J, Hayama Y, Shimazaki E, Kawase I, Toyama M, Kokubo T (1992) Primary angiosarcoma of the right atrium detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Intern Med 31:1291–1297

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Kaminaga T, Yamada N, Imakita S, Takamiya M, Nishimura T (1993) Magnetic resonance imaging of pericardial malignant mesothelioma. Magn Reson Imaging 11:1057–1061

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Gossinger HD, Siostrzonek P, Zangeneh M, Neuhold A, Herold C, Schmoliner R, Laczkovics A, Tscholakoff D, Mosslacher H (1988) Magnetic resonance imaging findings in a patient with pericardial mesothelioma. Am Heart J 115:1321–1322

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Vogel HJ, Wondergem JH, Falke TH (1989) Mesothelioma of the pericardium: CT and MR findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 13:543–546

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Shimojo M, Tsuda N, Kamihata H, Inada M, Kato T, Sawada S, Tanaka Y (1989) Magnetic resonance imaging for cardiovascular masses. J Cardiology 19:583–592

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Gossinger HD, Siostrzonek P, Zangeneh M, Neuhold A, Herold C, Schmoliner R, Laczkovics A, Tscholakoff D, Mosslacher H (1988) Magnetic resonance imaging findings in a patient with pericardial mesothelioma. Am Heart J 115:1321–1322

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. White CS (1996) MR evaluation of the pericardium and cardiac malignancies. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 4:237–251

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Barakos JA, Brown JJ, Higgins CB (1989) MR imaging of secondary cardiac and paracardiac lesions. Am J Roentgenol 153:47–50

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Niwa K, Tashima K, Terai M, Okajima Y, Nakajima H (1989) Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cardiac tumors in children. Am Heart J 118:424–425

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Ceresoli GL, Ferreri AJ, Bucci E, Ripa C, Ponzoni M, Villa E (1997) Primary cardiac lymphoma in immunocompetent patients: diagnostic and therapeutic management. Cancer 80:1497–1506

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Pozniak AL, Thomas RD, Hobbs CB, Lever JV (1986) Primary malignant lymphoma of the heart. Antemortem cytologic diagnosis. Acta Cytol 30:662–664

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Burke AP, Rosado de Christenson M, Templeton PA, Virmani R (1994) Cardiac fibroma: clinicopathologic correlates and surgical treatment. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 108:862–870

    Google Scholar 

  53. Araoz PA, Mulvagh SL, Tazelaar HD, Julsrud PR, Breen JF (2000) CT and MR imaging of benign primary cardiac neoplasms with echocardiographic correlation. Radiographics 20:1303–1319

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Parmley LF, Salley RK, Williams JP, Head GB III (1988) The clinical spectrum of cardiac fibroma with diagnostic and surgical considerations: noninvasive imaging enhances management. Ann Thorac Surg 45:455–465

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. de Montpreville VT, Serraf A, Aznag H, Nashashibi N, Planche C, Dulmet E (2001) Fibroma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the heart. Ann Diagn Pathol 5:335–342

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Tazelaar HD, Locke TJ, McGregor CG (1992) Pathology of surgically excised primary cardiac tumors. Mayo Clin Proc 67:957–965

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Basso C, Valente M, Poletti A, Casarotto D, Thiene G (1997) Surgical pathology of primary cardiac and pericardial tumors. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 12:730–737

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Beghetti M, Gow RM, Haney I, Mawson J, Williams WG, Freedom RM (1997) Pediatric primary benign cardiac tumors: a 15-year review. Am Heart J 134:1107–1114

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Wintersperger BJ, Becker CR, Gulbins H, Knez A, Bruening R, Heuck A, Reiser MF (2000) Tumors of the cardiac valves: imaging findings in magnetic resonance imaging, electron beam computed tomography, and echocardiography. Eur Radiol 10:443–449

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology/Pathology, Teikyo University Medical School, 2–11–1, Kaga, Itabashi-ku, 1738605, Tokyo , Japan

    Tatsuro Kaminaga, Thoru Takeshita & Izumi Kimura

Authors
  1. Tatsuro Kaminaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thoru Takeshita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Izumi Kimura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatsuro Kaminaga.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaminaga, T., Takeshita, T. & Kimura, I. Role of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of tumors in the cardiac region. Eur Radiol 13 (Suppl 6), L1–L10 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-002-1789-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-002-1789-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation