MR Imaging of Cardiac Masses. Top Magn Reson Imaging. 2018;27:103-111. [PMID: 29613965 DOI: 10.1097/rmr.0000000000000166]

Unanticipated Biatrial 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) Uptake in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Surveillance PET/CT

Cardiac lymphomas are rare manifestations of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), occurring either primarily or secondarily. Imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance/computed tomography (MR/CT) and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) are pivotal for accurate detection and staging. However, cardiac FDG uptake during oncological PET/CT scans lacks specificity, necessitating further investigation into abnormal patterns, particularly in atrial FDG uptake, which may indicate underlying cardiac arrhythmias. A significant proportion of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients exhibit heightened FDG uptake in the atrium, correlating with an increased stroke risk. We present an asymptomatic 81-year-old female with DLBCL, hypertension, and AF, incidentally found to have abnormal biatrial FDG uptake on surveillance PET/CT. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive cardiology evaluation in asymptomatic oncology patients to manage potential cardiac complications effectively. Advanced imaging techniques and integrated care strategies are crucial for optimizing outcomes in cardiac lymphoma patients.

A Curious Case of Pericardial Effusion Diagnosed as Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Lymphoma arises from mature B, T, and natural killer (NK) cells. Lymphomas are classified into Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a type of NHL. It can present with symptoms such as fever, chills, or night sweats, as well as symptoms due to extranodal involvement. Extranodal sites can include the gastrointestinal tract or renal involvement. A higher risk of developing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is seen in patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, those on immunosuppression, and those with autoimmune disorders. In this case report, we present a case of pericardial effusion that, upon further evaluation, was diagnosed as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A 64-year-old male presented with complaints of retrosternal chest pain that progressed from New York Heart Association (NYHA) Grade II to IV over a month. The chest pain was moderate intensity, dull aching, and non-radiating. It was associated with orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and anasarca. A chest X-ray (posteroanterior {PA} view) showed cardiomegaly with an increased cardiothoracic ratio, mediastinal widening, and pulmonary congestion. Echocardiography revealed moderate non-tappable pericardial effusion. A high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scan showed moderate pericardial effusion and a homogeneous enhancing mass in the left anterior superior mediastinum. A computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy was performed to check for lymphoma, thymoma, or tuberculosis. The patient was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Owing to the diverse manifestations of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), prompt diagnosis is required for controlling disease progression.

Cardiac Manifestations of Lymphoma: A Review of Primary and Secondary Cardiac Lymphoma

Primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) is a very unique and uncommon disease presentation, with reports in the literature limited to case reports. Most often it is B-cell in origin, predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Symptomatic presentation of PCL depends on the location of anatomic involvement, but most often involves the right heart, with presentation consistent with heart failure, pericardial effusions, and atrioventricular nodal blockade. Endomyocardial biopsy is necessary for diagnosis, but cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has been the most useful for staging of the disease. The disease has a poor prognosis but treatment with chemotherapy has been the most successful approach. Particularly, the chemotherapy regimen of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone has been reported to be successful for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, so it is often utilized first. In newer reports of patients with PCL, there may be a role of autologous stem cell transplant along with consolidative chemotherapy in younger patients diagnosed with PCL. Secondary cardiac lymphoma (SCL) is a more common occurrence that is often asymptomatic and recognized after the patient has passed from either the primary lymphoma or some other reason. Unlike PCL, SCL is more expansive and not often confined to the right heart. However, in patients with SCL who do have cardiac symptoms, the diagnostic approach and treatment are similar to that of PCL.

Cardiac Masses and Pseudomasses: An Overview about Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Background

A cardiac lesion detected at ultrasonography might turn out to be a normal structure, a benign tumor or rarely a malignancy, and lesion characterization is very important to appropriately manage the lesion itself. The exact relationship of the mass with coronary arteries and the knowledge of possible concomitant coronary artery disease are necessary preoperative information. Moreover, the increasingly performed coronary CT angiography to evaluate non-invasively coronary artery disease leads to a rising number of incidental findings. Therefore, CT and MRI are frequently performed imaging modalities when echocardiography is deemed insufficient to evaluate a lesion. A brief comprehensive overview about diagnostic radiological imaging and the clinical background of cardiac masses and pseudomasses is reported.

Primary cardiac myxofibrosarcoma of the left atrium and pericardium: a case report

BACKGROUND

Primary cardiac myxofibrosarcoma is rare and commonly occurs in the left atrium. Myxofibrosarcoma is aggressive and has a high mortality rate due to its high rate of recurrence. Complete surgical resection is considered important; however, effective treatment options have not been established.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who developed a myxofibrosarcoma spreading to the left atrium and pericardium. We performed surgical resection of the tumor to prevent sudden death due to mitral valve obstruction or cerebral infarction due to embolism of the scattered mass. However, we were unable to complete the resection of the tumors. The patient developed brain metastasis 2 months after surgery and eventually died due to brain hemorrhage 3 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this report, we described a rare case of primary cardiac myxofibrosarcoma located not only in the left atrium but also in the pericardium. Considering preoperative laboratory findings, surgical and adjuvant therapy, and the patient's wishes are important for the best therapeutic course for an individual.

Practical Guide to Interpreting Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Patients with Cardiac Masses

It is common for a cardiac mass to be discovered accidentally during an echocardiographic examination. Following the relief of a cardiac mass, being able to evaluate and characterize it using non-invasive imaging methods is critical. Echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and positron emission tomography (PET) are the main imaging modalities used to evaluate cardiac masses. Although multimodal imaging often allows for a better assessment, CMR is the best technique for the non-invasive characterization of tissues, as the different MR sequences help in the diagnosis of cardiac masses. This article provides detailed descriptions of each CMR sequence employed in the evaluation of cardiac masses, underlining the potential information it can provide. The description in the individual sequences provides useful guidance to the radiologist in performing the examination.

Cardiovascular Imaging in Cardio-Oncology: The Role of Echocardiography and Cardiac MRI in Modern Cardio-Oncology

Cardiovascular (CV) events are an increasingly common limitation of effective anticancer therapy. Over the last decade imaging has become essential to patients receiving contemporary cancer therapy. Herein we discuss the current state of CV imaging in cardio-oncology. We also provide a practical apparatus for the use of imaging in everyday cardiovascular care of oncology patients to improve outcomes for those at risk for cardiotoxicity, or with established cardiovascular disease. Finally, we consider future directions in the field given the wave of new anticancer therapies.

Diagnosis and staging of cardiac masses: additional value of CMR with 18F-FDG-PET compared to CMR with CECT

PURPOSE

Characterization of malignant cardiac masses is usually performed with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and staging with whole-body contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). In this study, our objective was to evaluate the role of ¹⁸Fluor-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG-PET) with CMR for both characterization and staging of cardiac masses.

METHODS

Patients with cardiac masses who underwent CMR, CECT, and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET were retrospectively identified. For the characterization of cardiac masses, we calculated the respective performances of CMR alone, ¹⁸F-FDG-PET alone, and the combination of ¹⁸F-FDG-PET and CMR. For staging, we compared head-to-head the respective performances of ¹⁸F-FDG-PET and CECT. Histology served as gold standard for malignancy, and response to anticoagulation for thrombus.

RESULTS

In a total of 28 patients (median age 60.5 years, 60.7% women), CMR accurately distinguished malignant from benign masses with sensitivity (Se) of 86.7%, specificity (Sp) of 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 86.7%, and accuracy of 92.9%. ¹⁸F-FDG-PET demonstrated 93.3% Se, 84.6% Sp, 87.5% PPV, 91.7% NPV, and 89.3% accuracy. Combining CMR with ¹⁸F-FDG-PET allowed to benefit from the high sensitivity of ¹⁸F-FDG-PET (92.9%) and the excellent specificity of CMR (100%) for malignant diseases. For staging, ¹⁸F-FDG-PET outperformed CECT on per-patient (66.7% vs 55.6% correct diagnosis, respectively), per-organ (10 vs 7 organs, respectively), and per-lesion basis (> 29 vs > 25 lesions, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Combining ¹⁸F-FDG-PET with CMR improved the characterization of cardiac masses compared to each modality alone. Additionally, the diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-FDG-PET was better than CECT for staging. This study suggests that the combination of CMR and ¹⁸F-FDG-PET is the most effective for the characterization of cardiac masses and the staging of these lesions.

Cardiac Neoplasms: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Cardiac neoplasms are a diagnostic challenge on many levels. They are rare, their clinical presentation may mimic other much more common cardiac diseases, and they are at an uncommon intersection of oncologic and cardiac imaging. The pathology of primary cardiac neoplasms explains their varied imaging features, for example, calcification in primary cardiac osteosarcomas and T2 hyperintensity in myxomas. Integrating the imaging and pathologic features of cardiac tumors furthers our understanding of the spectrum of appearances of these neoplasms and improves the clinical imager's ability to confidently make a diagnosis.

Left ventricular mass in a patient with severe heart failure

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac masses have a wide range of etiologies with the most common being thrombi and less commonly tumors. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa other etiologies not commonly seen in developed countries such as endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) must be considered. EMF is a disease process associated with poverty, a poor diet, and eosinophilia although its pathology is poorly understood.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a 53-year-old male with a history of dilated cardiomyopathy who presented to a Ugandan Emergency Department in respiratory distress. Bedside echocardiography was performed which revealed a large mass in the apex of the left ventricle. The patient was subsequently given supplemental oxygen and intravenous furosemide, however he later died while in the emergency department due to limited resources and lack of definitive care.

DISCUSSION

The list of potential etiologies of cardiac masses is widely variable, and in settings such as Sub-Saharan Africa, this list must be expanded to include possible diagnoses such as EMF. EMF is a diagnosis that should be considered in patients presenting with respiratory distress and a cardiac mass present on echocardiography, such as the case presented here. The limited opportunities for medical personnel to diagnose cardiovascular disease can be made more efficient by the use of diagnostic imaging devices which are portable, yet capable of diagnosing the most common local pathologies [9-11].

Cardiac involvement in disseminated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, successful management with chemotherapy dose reduction guided by cardiac imaging: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Secondary cardiac involvement by lymphoma has received limited attention in the medical literature, despite its grave prognosis. Although chemotherapy improves patients’ survival, a subgroup of treated patients dies suddenly due to myocardial rupture following chemotherapy initiation. Reducing the initial chemotherapy dose with dose escalation to standard doses may be effective in minimizing this risk but the data are limited. We report on the successful management of a patient with disseminated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) involving the heart using such approach.

CASE SUMMARY

An 18-year-old male presented to our hospital with six months history of progressive dyspnea, orthopnea and cough. On physical examination, the patient was found to have a plethoric and mildly edematous face, fixed elevation of the right internal jugular vein, suggestive of superior vena cava obstruction, and a pelvic mass. Investigations during admission including a thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan with CT guided biopsy of the pelvic mass, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging led to the diagnosis of disseminated DLBCL with cardiac involvement. The patients were successfully treated with chemotherapy dose reduction followed by dose escalation to standard doses, under the guidance of cardiac imaging. The patient completed chemotherapy and underwent a successful bone marrow transplant. He is currently in remission and has a normal left ventricular function.

CONCLUSION

Imaging-guided chemotherapy dosing may minimize the risk of myocardial rupture in cardiac lymphoma. Data are limited. Management should be individualized.