The Role of Echocardiography in Diagnosing Space-Occupying Lesions of the Heart

Giant Cardiac Lipoma: Refined Hypothesis Proposes Invagination from Extracardiac to Intracardiac Sites

“…Approximately 50% of cardiac lipomas arise subendocardially, 25% subepicardially, and 25% from the myocardium. 3,7 They have been reported in adolescents and adults. 12 The tumors are typically found incidentally, because most patients with a cardiac lipoma are asymptomatic; however, valvular obstruction, cardiac compression, arrhythmias, and peripheral embolization can occur.…”

“…4 Chen and colleagues 5 and Lombardi and associates 6 proposed that primary tumors of the heart arise from gene mutations and the proliferation of various cell types in the myocardium; however, no unifying hypothesis regarding the development of intra-atrial giant lipomas has been proved. Modern imaging techniques, including improvements in echocardiography, have simplified diagnosis 7 ; the addition of spiral computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) adds clarity to the extent of these tumors. Recently reported cases of cardiac lipomas in unusual locations attest to the complex management necessary to treat these rare lesions.…”

Unusual cause of superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed with transesophageal echocardiography

“…12 Since the patient's principal diagnosis was endocarditis, an echocardiogram was the first imaging study that was obtained. Transthoracic echocardiography is an excellent initial technique to evaluate and diagnose cardiac masses, 13 although the superior sensitivity of TEE for detecting vegetations has now been well established. 14 In part, TEE transducers operate at higher ultrasonic frequencies, thereby improving image quality and spatial resolution.…”

Left atrial myxoma causing posterior cerebral artery infarct-a case report

“…Doppler echocardiography can show the hemodynamic consequences of atrial myxoma. [13][14][15] Cardiac MRI may provide additional information as compared to echocardiography. It can distinguish between tumor and non-tumor masses with sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 91% respectively, and between benign and malignant masses with sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 100% respectively.…”