Comparison of gated cardiac MRI and 2D echocardiography of intracardiac neoplasms

The gross diagnostic factors of intracardiac tumor in four patients imaged by two-dimensional echocardiography (2D echo) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared. Three cases had left and one had a right atrial tumor, all histologically identified as myxoma. Gated cardiac MRI depicted the size, shape, and surface characteristics of the tumors more clearly than 2D echo, because MRI provides better spatial and contrast resolution. Depiction of tumor attachment was poor to good with both techniques. Both techniques were highly accurate in localizing the tumor and displaying whether it was fixed or mobile. The global field of view provided by MRI allows better definition of tumor prolapse, secondary valvular obstruction, and cardiac chamber size. This study shows that despite its early stage of development, gated cardiac MRI provides superior image quality and is complementary to 2D echo for characterization and diagnosis of intracardiac tumor.