Imaging procedures in the detection of cardiac tumors, with emphasis on echocardiography: A review

Abstract

Although cardiac tumors are relatively rare, their diagnosis is important because successful treatment is usually feasible if the diagnosis is made preoperatively. An analysis of 219 reports of cardiac tumors described in the English literature from 1972 through 1977 demonstrated the predominance of benign tumors, in particular myxoma, which is in agreement with past reviews. The methods of diagnosis employed included plain chest films, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, angiocardiography, and cardiac scintigraphy. Conventional x-ray examination of the chest was abnormal in 83% of cardiac tumors but non-specific and should lead to further evaluation, first by echocardiography. Echocardiography, the most efficient diagnostic procedure for screening possible cardiac tumors, was abnormal in 94% of the cases. Cardiac catheterization was abnormal in 80% of cardiac tumors while definitive detection was made by angiocardiography in 94% of the cases. Cardiac scintigraphy has had limited use in the diagnosis of cardiac tumors, but has been diagnostic in 100% of the cases in a small series of myxomas.

Cardiac Neoplasms: Current Diagnosis, Pathology, and Therapy

“…49 The latter may be associated with skin myxomas, myxoid mammary fibroadenomas, lentigo or pigmented nevi, adrenocortical disease, pituitary adenomas, and/or Sertoli testicular turn or^.^^^^^ Multiple myxomas are more common in the familial form (33%), with young males affected more than females (2:l).50 Recurrence occurs more often with the familial form (330/0).~' Myxomas may originate in all four cardiac chambers as well as in valvular t i s~u e .~~!~' ,~~ They have been found within four separate cardiac chambers of the same heart. Most commonly myxomas arise singularly from the left atrium (70% to 80%) with the right atrium the second most frequent locat ion (1 5% to 20%) .26s27,38,43, 54 Mu l t i pl e tumors have been reported in approximately 5% of these p a t i e n t~~~3~3 Biatrial myxomas occur 2.5% of the time and present an interesting diagnostic and surgical ~h a l l e n g e .~~~~~~~-~~ Although ventricular myxomas occur infrequently, up to 4% have been reported . 25,38,43,59,60 Right ventricular myxom as occur more often and are usually found in younger patients.3'76l These may be more infiltrative than left-sided ones.…”

Angiosarcoma of the heart: Report of a case in a 9‐year‐old boy

“…Aspecific symptoms consisted of congestive heart failure, cardiac tamponade, arrhythmia, chest and abdominal pain [1,2,7]. The serum SGOT and SGPT were elevated in some cases [3,8]. In one case it was due to myocardial infarction and in another probably to liver damage secondary to acute hepatic congestion; this latter fact was probably also responsible for the abnormal transaminase levels in our case.…”

Osteosarcoma with Cardiac Metastasis in a 22-year-old Man: A Case Report and Review of Cardiac Tumors

“…On CXR, 80% of patients will have abnormal findings including cardiomegaly, abnormal cardiothymic silhouette, and nonspecific calcifications. Forty‐seven percent of patients will have ECG abnormalities including ST segment abnormalities and ventricular hypertrophy with or without strain . Often, dysrhythmias may be the sole initial presenting finding.…”

“…Forty-seven percent of patients will have ECG abnormalities including ST segment abnormalities and ventricular hypertrophy with or without strain. 23 Often, dysrhythmias may be the sole initial presenting finding.…”