Detection of a cardiac mass by [18F]FDG-PET/CT: A rare case

Abstract

Intra-cardiac masses present an important problem in cardiology. The differential diagnosis includes tumours, which may be primary (benign or malignant) or metastatic, and infected mural thrombi. Myxomas, sarcomas, breast, lung, and renal cancer represent the commonest causes of primary benign, malignant and metastatic intra-cardiac masses respectively. Recent studies have shown that cardiac involvement in malignant lymphoma is common but under-investigated. Diagnostic imaging techniques for detection of cardiac masses include echocardiography, CT and MRI, with echocardiography having the highest sensitivity. We propose that 18-F-PET/CT may play an important role in the detection and evaluation of intra-cardiac masses.