MR Imaging of Cardiac Masses

• Published in: Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 137 - 164
• Main Authors: Syed, Imran S., MD, Feng, DaLi, MD, Harris, Scott R., MD, Martinez, Matthew W., MD, Misselt, Andrew J., MD, Breen, Jerome F., MD, Miller, Dylan V., MD, Araoz, Philip A., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2008
• Subjects: Heart Diseases - diagnosis; Heart Neoplasms - diagnosis; Heart tumor; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Mass; MR imaging; Radiology; Mass; Heart tumor; MR imaging
• ISSN: 1064-9689; 1557-9786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2008.02.009

Cardiac MR imaging is the preferred method for assessment of cardiac masses. A comprehensive cardiac MR imaging examination for a cardiac mass consists of static morphologic images using fast spin-echo sequences, including single-shot techniques, with T1 and T2 weighting and fat suppression pulses as well as dynamic imaging with cine steady-state free precession techniques. Further tissue characterization is provided with perfusion and delayed enhancement imaging. Specific cardiac tumoral characterization is possible in many cases. When specific tumor characterization is not possible, MR imaging often can demonstrate aggressive versus nonaggressive features that help in differentiating malignant from benign tumors.