Focal mass-like cardiac uptake on oncologic FDG PET/CT: Real lesion or atypical pattern of physiologic uptake?

18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in the workup of cardiac and pericardial masses

“…Further, one has to be aware, that cardiac uptake of FDG is not a specific marker for cardiac neoplasms and may need further evaluation in some cases. 15 Although this study has proven a value for FDG PET/CT, transthoracic or transoesophageal echocardiography will remain the cornerstone in the diagnostic workup of cardiac masses, due to their ability to assess hemodynamic consequences, its availability and cost-effectiveness. Especially myxoma, papillary fibroelastoma, and angiosarcoma have characteristic structural patterns, allowing high diagnostic accuracy by the use of echocardiography, CMR and CCT without need for metabolic FDG PET/CT assessments.…”