"Clinical Presentation"
"secondary to cardioembolic stroke/TIA 12"
"sarcomas account for 25% of all cardiac tumours 2,6"
"Intracardiac masses are often discovered and initially evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) which allows delineation of the anatomic location, degree of mobility, dimensions, and any associated perturbation of cardiac structure (e.g. disruption of valvular integrity leading to regurgitation, or occlusion of the valvular orifice leading to stenosis) and function. Pericardial extension can also be delineated. Transthoracic evaluation is limited both by inherent anatomic barriers to visualisation of several pertinent structures such as the great vessels, and may be further limited by patient specific factors, such as prior surgeries or dressings, chest wall abnormalities, body habitus, and hyperinflated lungs."
"Sonographic contrast agents may also provide additional diagnostic yield, allowing one to assess the presence of vascularity within a mass, and the relative abundance or dearth of perfusion. Typical features associated with benign tumours include qualitatively small amounts of microbubbles circulating throughout the mass (i.e. lacking the hypervascularity associated with malignancy), appearing to have a lesser degree of enhancement to the adjacent myocardium. Identification of intra-cavitary masses may also be enhanced with their presence indicated by a filling defect within the relevant cardiac chamber 14."
"CTCA may also be implemented to evaluate masses though to involve coronary vessels and allows identification of extra-cardiac extension of a tumour into adjacent structures. Contrast enhancement allows insight into the vascular nature of the mass, and fat/calcifications are visualised well with CT 15."
Expected headings
"Clinical Presentation"
"Echocardiography"