Cardiac Tumors and Thrombus: Transesophageal Echocardiographic Experience

Abstract

Precordial echocardiography has revolutionized the examination of the heart for tumors and thrombus. Most benign and malignant tumors, as well as intracardiac thrombus of all etiologies, have been described in the two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiographic literature. As with any technology, there are limitations and improvements in technology which define and continuously change the diagnostic capabilities. Limitations of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) include an inability consistently to image targets in the far field, small embedded or mural masses, and certain structures, including the atrial appendages and pulmonary veins. Pedunculated masses, such as cavitary myxomas or thrombus, are usually accurately diagnosed by precordial echocardiography. However, these easily diagnosed masses may appear atypical and require further characterization in order to establish a proper diagnosis or determine pertinent associations.