What is the role of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging modalities in the evaluation of cardiac tumors?
Multimodality cardiovascular imaging, primarily led by 2D echocardiography and complemented by advanced echo, MRI, and CT, is essential for the comprehensive evaluation and management of cardiac tumors.
Evaluation of cardiac tumors with cardiovascular imaging aims to establish aetiology, identify complications of tumor and help define management strategy. 2D echocardiography remains the primary diagnostic modality. Additional use of newer echocardiographic techniques such as 3D, strain and contrast echocardiography better characterise tumor morphology, tissue characteristics and vascularity respectively. Cardiac MRI and computed tomography provide complementary information and are able to identify extra-cardiac infiltration and also provide further tissue characterisation. This review explores the non-invasive diagnostic approach to evaluation of cardiac tumors.
Bhattacharyya et al. (2013) studied this question.