Intracardiac masses detected by echocardiography: Case presentations and review of the literature

Abstract

Summary:Intracardiac masses are often diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography (WE). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) improves overall visualization of masses, especially those located in the posterior cardiac structures. Masses in the heart are most commonly due to thrombi or valvular vegetations; however, a variety of tumors may also present as cardiac masses on echocardiography. Tumors of the heart most commonly occur in the setting of metastatic disease, usually from malignancies of the breast, lung, or from malignant melanoma. Primary cardiac tumors occur much less frequently and are usually benign. Atrial myxomas constitute nearly one-half of reported primary cardiac tumors. The following discussion details the findings of five cases that illustrate the spectrum of intracardiac tumors detected by echocardiography and reviews the relevant literature. rior cardiac structure^.^ Masses in the heart are most commonly due to thrombi in the presence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction or atrial fibrillation, or to valvular vegetations in the setting of endocarditis. Less commonly, a variety of intracardiac tumors may be detected by echocardiography. Tumors of the heart most commonly OCCUT in the setting of metastatic disease, usually from malignancies of the breast, lung, or from malignant melanoma. About 20% of patients with malignancies reportedly have cardiac involvement? In contrast, primary cardiac tumors occur much less frequently and are usually benign. Atrial myxomas constitute nearly one-half of reported primary cardiac tumors? The following discussion details the findings of five cases of intracardiac masses, diagnosed initially by echocardiography, and reviews the relevant literature. Case Presentations

Febrile Illness in an Infant With an Intracardiac Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor

“…An echocardiogram is the most useful modality to confirm diagnosis of an intracardiac mass. 16 The differential diagnosis for an intracardiac mass is included in Table 1. Although echocardiography can be helpful to differentiate the etiology of the lesion, 16 histologic examination remains the gold standard for confirmation of the diagnosis.…”

Mitral valve myxoma associated with intracranial tumor: a case report

“…Echocardiography is most important diagnostic modality available for imaging cardiac tumors; it is noninvasive and does not pose the risk of tumor embolization. Echocardiography easily defines the size, location, shape, morphological characteristics, and relations of mass with intracardiac components [9,10].…”

Cardiac masses and tumours

“…Located within the atria, ventricle cavities or both, they vary considerably in size, morphology and mobility 21 22…”