Primary cardiac and pericardial neoplasms: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Cardiac tumors: optimal cardiac MR sequences and spectrum of imaging appearances

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews the optimal cardiac MRI sequences for and the spectrum of imaging appearances of cardiac tumors.

CONCLUSION

Recent technologic advances in cardiac MRI have resulted in the rapid acquisition of images of the heart with high spatial and temporal resolution and excellent myocardial tissue characterization. Cardiac MRI provides optimal assessment of the location, functional characteristics, and soft-tissue features of cardiac tumors, allowing accurate differentiation of benign and malignant lesions.

Fatal cardiac arrest due to an unusual fibroma of the pulmonary valve

Fibroma, the second most common tumor in childhood, usually is a large solitary mass involving the ventricular septum or the left and rarely the right free ventricular wall. An unusual case of a 5.2-year-old boy with a large mass originating from the pulmonary valve is reported. The patient presented for evaluation of a murmur. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed a large tumor extending from the distal right ventricular outflow tract through the pulmonary valve and into the main pulmonary artery causing moderate obstruction. The patient had a fatal cardiac arrest while awaiting surgery. The postmortem examination proved the tumor to be a fibroma.

Benign cardiac tumours: cardiac CT and MRI imaging appearances

Primary benign cardiac tumours are rarely found in clinical practice and are generally evaluated with echocardiography. However, with the increasing usage of helical multislice CT, the initial detection and evaluation of these masses may be made by the radiologist during routine daily practice for other indications. The echocardiographic, CT and cardiac MRI appearances of various benign cardiac tumours and masses are described and illustrated in this review.

Cardiac involvement with lymphoma: a review of the literature

Current literature suggests that the incidence of cardiac involvement by lymphoma as identified by autopsy varies widely, ranging from 8.7% to 20%. Historically, many cases might have been clinically undetected; however, improved imaging techniques increasingly identify cardiac involvement incidentally. In addition, newer agents resulting in improved cancer therapy outcomes might alter the prevalence and location of metastatic deposits to include more unusual disease sites, including intracardiac locations. We present 2 cases and a review of the literature.

Huge primary pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma in the right ventricle with impending obstruction of both inflow and outflow tracts

Primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare disease entity that is associated with very poor prognosis. We describe here a 45-year-old man who had a huge pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma in the right ventricle (RV) that presented with signs of acute pressure and volume overload and impending obstruction of both outflow and inflow tracts of the RV. The tumor was attached to the RV apex and the interventricular septum, and extended into the main pulmonary trunk just above the pulmonary valve as well as into the right atrium through the tricuspid valve. We evaluated the extent of the tumor using various imaging modalities including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Although he underwent urgent debulking surgery to relieve the obstruction, the tumor could not be resected completely because of its extensive local invasion. The tumor has shown aggressive regrowth after surgery despite adjuvant chemotherapy.

Cardiac teratoma of the interventricular septum with congenital aortic stenosis in a newborn

A 10-day-old infant presented with tachypnea, harsh murmur, and cardiomegaly. Echocardiography revealed a multicystic mass invading the entire interventricular septum and protruding into the left ventricular cavity without left ventricular tract outflow tract obstruction and aortic stenosis. The mass was subsequently resected and biopsy revealed it to be a cardiac teratoma. We present an unusually rare case of an intramyocardial teratoma with associated congenital aortic stenosis.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma in an adult patient presenting with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction

We present a 24 year old woman with cardiac rhabdomyoma. Cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common benign cardiac tumor in infants, but in adults, cardiac rhabdomyoma is very rare. These tumors are often spontaneously reversible because they are associated to the right or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, tachyarrhythmias and heart failure where surgery is necessary.

The pathogenesis and imaging of the tuberous sclerosis complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by the formation of hamartomatous lesions in multiple organ systems. It is the second most common neurocutaneous syndrome after neurofibromatosis type 1 and has been recognized since the late 1800s. Although the disease has complete penetrance, there is also high phenotypic variability: some patients have obvious signs at birth, while others remain undiagnosed for many years. In addition to skin lesions, TSC patients develop numerous brain lesions, angiomyolipoma (AMLs), lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) in the lungs, cardiac rhabdomyomas, skeletal lesions, and vascular anomalies, all of which are well seen with medical imaging. Our knowledge of TSC genetics and pathophysiology has expanded dramatically in recent years: two genetic loci were discovered in the 1990s and recent elucidation of TSC's interaction with the mTOR pathway has changed how we manage the disease. Meanwhile, medical imaging is playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of TSC. We provide an update on the genetics and pathophysiology of TSC, review its clinical manifestations, and explore the breadth of imaging features in each organ system, from prenatal detection of cardiac rhabdomyomas to monitoring rapamycin therapy to treatment of AMLs by interventional radiology.

"Perilous pearl"--papillary fibroelastoma of aortic valve: a case report and literature review

Papillary fibroelastomas of the heart valves are benign, slow-growing, rare tumors of the heart. These lesions are primarily responsible for embolic events that can clinically manifest with neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. Early diagnosis is very important, as surgical excision of these tumors can prevent cerebrovascular and cardiovascular complications. The case of a 60-year-old man who presented with a neurological deficit caused by a papillary fibroelastoma of the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve is described. Diagnosis was made by transesophageal echocardiogram, and the tumor was resected surgically.

Primary intrathoracic low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare neoplasm commonly affecting young adults and typically arising in the somatic soft tissue of the proximal extremities. Its occurrence within the thoracic cavity is exceedingly rare. We report an LGFMS arising from the epicardial surface of the right side of the heart in a 44-year-old woman. Diagnosis was aided by a strikingly characteristic light microscopic appearance of a bland spindle cell sarcoma containing numerous so-called giant collagen rosettes and supported by immunohistology, evidence of FUS translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy demonstrating a fibroblastic phenotype. Aspiration cytology showed a nonspecific bland spindle cell lesion. Review of the literature uncovered 5 previously reported examples of intrathoracic LGFMS. Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is probably an underrecognized intrathoracic neoplasm and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spindle cell neoplasms of the mediastinum, pleura, heart, and lungs.

A pedunculated left ventricular hemangioma initially misdiagnosed as thrombus in a woman with atypical chest pain

The incidence of cardiac masses increased as echocardiography is becoming increasingly popular. Benign tumors of the heart constitute about 72% of all primary cardiac neoplasms and hemangioma accounts for 5-10% of benign cardiac tumors. Cardiac hemangiomas are generally asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally during echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We reported a 52-year-old woman presented with atypical chest pain and exertional dyspnea. The echocardiographic examination revealed a hyperechoic round mass in the left ventricle. With an initial diagnosis of left ventricular thrombus, the patient underwent cardiac MRI. The mass was found compatible with cardiac hemangioma. It was removed surgically and histopathologic evaluation identified a cardiac hemangioma. As reports of cardiac hemangioma are extremely rare and cardiac masses are mostly thought to be thrombi or myxomas (being the most common primary cardiac tumor), such hemangioma cases warrant attention as possibility of hemangioma should also be kept in mind.

Primary right atrium angiosarcoma mimicking pericarditis

BACKGROUND

Primary cardiac neoplasms occur rarely and most of them are benign. Malignant tumors including angiosarcoma are extremely rare and have a non specific clinical presentation and a poor prognosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a young male who was transferred to our hospital because of shock and multiple organ failure after a complicated pericardial biopsy. During the previous seven months he presented with recurrent episodes of pericardial effusions and tamponade. Chest computed tomography revealed a mass in the right atrium, infiltrating the myocardium and pericardium. During emergency surgery that followed, the patient died because of uncontrolled hemorrhage. Autopsy revealed the mass of the right atrium, which was identified on histological examination as primary cardiac angiosarcoma.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the difficulties both in early diagnosis and in the management of patients with cardiac angiosarcoma.

A Patient with Cardiac Fibroma and a Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis Caused by a Subvalvular Membrane

In this report, we describe a patient with two uncommon cardiac abnormalities: a subvalvular membrane in the left ventricular outflow tract and a cardiac fibroma (CF) in the left atrium. This 56-year-old patient presented with a known subaortic stenosis caused by a subvalvular membrane, a large mass attached to the interatrial septum in the immediate proximity of mitral valve, and a cardiac history of infective endocarditis. Initially, the mass was thought to be an old vegetation. However, the histology of this lesion diagnosed a CF. Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Myxoma and papillary fibroelastoma are the most frequently encountered primary cardiac tumors. CF is usually diagnosed during childhood. In this case, the presentation of the CF was atypical for 3 reasons: the tumor was diagnosed in an adult, the fibroma was pedunculated, and not located within the myocardium but originated from the interatrial septum.

Aortic Valve Lipoma

Cardiac lipoma (especially on the aortic valve) is extremely rare. We report a patient suffering from shortness of breath, chest pain, and recent presyncopal episodes who was found to have a mass on the aortic valve with mild aortic regurgitation. The patient had an uneventful aortic valve replacement.

Imaging of pericardial diseases

Traditionally echocardiography has been the method of choice for the evaluation of pericardial and cardiac lesions. However, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide a large field of view and excellent images of anatomy not available with echocardiography. In addition, CT and MRI demonstrate high soft-tissue contrast as well as the exact localization of a lesion. Currently, CT and MRI are the preferred techniques for the recognition and characterization of pericardial disorders. In this review, the characteristic imaging appearances of a variety of pericardial diseases are discussed.

CT and MRI of pericardial and cardiac neoplastic disease

This article reviews the pathological classification of cardiac and pericardial neoplasms, the incidence of the various tumor types, and the role of CT and MRI, including their major differences and clinical impact on patient management.

Cardiac MRI is Complementary to Echocardiography in the Assessment of Cardiac Masses

Despite the fact that the incidence of cardiac tumors is low, the prompt evaluation and adequate intervention of these is highly important. Although most tumors of the heart are considered histologically benign, there are significant risks associated with these "benign" tumors. These are associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to obstruction of blood flow, alterations of conduction, propagation of arrhythmias, and thromboembolism, depending on their size, location, and nature. With the advent of noninvasive imaging modalities--traditionally echocardiography; but more recently using cross-sectional imaging with cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging--cardiac tumors can be optimally assessed providing a greater opportunity for curative treatments by cardiothoracic surgery.

A 25-year-old woman with a gastric GIST and a PET-positive epicardial tumor

BACKGROUND

A 25-year-old woman presented with a history of abdominal pain. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed a tumor that protruded into the prepyloric antrum. After resection, a 'high-risk' gastrointestinal stromal tumor was histologically confirmed.

INVESTIGATIONS

Endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, hemigastrectomy, [(18)F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET/CT scan, histological examination, immunohistochemistry, cardiac MRI, high-resolution CT with electrocardiogram gating, CT angiography, and cardiac surgery.

DIAGNOSIS

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, epicardial paraganglioma, and Carney's syndrome.

MANAGEMENT

Abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy combined with endoscopic ultrasound, annual FDG-PET/CT scan.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pericardial Disease and Cardiac Masses

MRI is known to be a superior modality for evaluating pericardial disease and masses because of its unmatched capacity for tissue characterization and high spatial resolution. New real-time sequences now complement the standard morphologic imaging of the pericardium with dynamic image acquisitions that also can provide hemodynamic information indicative of constriction. In the evaluation of masses, recently developed rapid imaging sequences have shortened examination times and improved lesion characterization. The full spectrum of pericardial disease and cardiac masses is reviewed, and the role of MRI explored.

A very rare cardiac hibernoma in the right atrium: a case report

Cardiac lipomas are rare tumors often detected incidentally during routine examinations. They usually remain asymptomatic for a long time and cause arrhythmia, heart valve dysfunction, or embolization in the later stages. In this article, we report a case of a 64-year-old patient with a very rare cardiac hibernoma located in the right atrium. Transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography have been shown to be useful for differentiating between benign and malignant tumors in order to plan surgery. The treatment of choice for these tumors is resection. The tumor was excised with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Histology confirmed diagnosis of a benign cardiac hibernoma.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the right atrium resulting in superior vena caval syndrome in an HIV-positive patient: depiction at multislice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

An HIV-positive 32-year-old male presenting with superior vena cava syndrome underwent multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which showed a large tumor in the right atrium, which extended to the superior vena cava. Pathologic examination revealed that the mass was consistent with B cell-type malignant lymphoma. The tumor size markedly decreased after the initiation of chemotherapy and patient recovery has been uneventful for 1 year.