title: [Diagnosis of intracardial and paracardial space-occupying masses: comparison between two-dimensional echocardiography and computed tomography].
abstract: The validity of two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo) and computed tomography (CT) in the detection of intra- and paracardial tumors and thrombi was compared in 32 patients: 7 endocardial myxomas, 1 left ventricular fibroma, 2 paracardial cysts, 1 paracardial tumor, and 21 thrombi. In 16 cases intraoperative findings served as a control. The 2-D echo is easier to handle and free of radiation of contrast media. CT can visualize cardiac tumors independently of their location, whereas 2-D echo sometimes insufficiently images paracardial and right ventricular structures. It must be considered an advantage that 2-D echo detects mobile tumors such as those attached to valves, which the CT will not show. The tissue involved is more likely to be characterized by CT, although results are unreliable. However, in all cases tumors could be differentiated from thrombi by means of additional diagnostic criteria, such as the pattern of wall motion or valve motion. 2-D echo and CT therefore appear to be complementary methods rather than competitive ones. Invasive diagnostic procedures are required only to answer particular questions, e.g., concerning the coronary arteries.
mesh_terms: D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D004452:Echocardiography; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Diagnostik intra- und parakardialer Raumforderungen: Vergleich zwischen zweidimensionaler Echokardiographie und Computertomographie.