The term cardiac mass refers to benign or malignant cardiac tumors and cardiac metastases but also to pseudotumors, which is a heterogeneous group consisting of thrombi, vegetations and normal variant structures. While primitive cardiac tumors are rare, metastases and pseudotumors are relatively common. The non-invasive diagnostic approach has not been well established in the literature yet. The first-line non-invasive approach consists of echocardiography, which provides good diagnostic accuracy for masses like thrombi, vegetations and some tumors (mainly myxoma and fibroelastoma). In contrast, for other masses, it does not provide information about the potential malignancy because of poor tissue characterization. Second-line (cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance) or third-line (positron emission tomography-computed tomography) evaluations have been validated in the diagnostic approach to cardiac masses by many studies. In fact, a comprehensive diagnostic approach may establish the diagnosis of malignancy without histological report, which is pivotal for the subsequent therapeutic strategy.The aim of this narrative review is to describe the commonly available non-invasive diagnostic techniques for cardiac masses, their potential and limitations and to suggest a diagnostic pathway for common practice.
Francesco Angeli, Michele Fabrizio, Pasquale Paolisso, Ilenia Magnani, Luca Bergamaschi, Lorenzo Bartoli, et al. (2022). Classificazione, caratteristiche cliniche e strategie diagnostiche delle masse cardiache. GIORNALE ITALIANO DI CARDIOLOGIA, 23(8), 620-630 [10.1714/3856.38393].
Classificazione, caratteristiche cliniche e strategie diagnostiche delle masse cardiache
Francesco Angeli;Michele Fabrizio;Pasquale Paolisso;Ilenia Magnani;Luca Bergamaschi;Lorenzo Bartoli;Andrea Stefanizzi;Matteo Armillotta;Angelo Sansonetti;Sara Amicone;Andrea Impellizzeri;Francesco Pio Tattilo;Nicole Suma;Francesca Bodega;Lisa Canton;Andrea Rinaldi;Carmine Pizzi
2022
Abstract
The term cardiac mass refers to benign or malignant cardiac tumors and cardiac metastases but also to pseudotumors, which is a heterogeneous group consisting of thrombi, vegetations and normal variant structures. While primitive cardiac tumors are rare, metastases and pseudotumors are relatively common. The non-invasive diagnostic approach has not been well established in the literature yet. The first-line non-invasive approach consists of echocardiography, which provides good diagnostic accuracy for masses like thrombi, vegetations and some tumors (mainly myxoma and fibroelastoma). In contrast, for other masses, it does not provide information about the potential malignancy because of poor tissue characterization. Second-line (cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance) or third-line (positron emission tomography-computed tomography) evaluations have been validated in the diagnostic approach to cardiac masses by many studies. In fact, a comprehensive diagnostic approach may establish the diagnosis of malignancy without histological report, which is pivotal for the subsequent therapeutic strategy.The aim of this narrative review is to describe the commonly available non-invasive diagnostic techniques for cardiac masses, their potential and limitations and to suggest a diagnostic pathway for common practice.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.