Previous studies have shown the value of MR imaging for the identification of cardiac masses. The distinction of intramural
tumors from normal myocardium may be equivocal because of the similarity of signal intensity between
tumor and normal myocardium on ECG-gated SE images. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of
Gd-DTPA for improving the contrast between
cardiac tumors and myocardium. Four patients with established or suspected
cardiac tumors were imaged with a 1.5 T imager. The T1-weighted images (TR = RR interval, TE = 20-30 ms) were obtained before and immediately after the
intravenous injection of
Gd-DTPA, at a dosage of 0.1 mmol/kg.
Tumors were identified in three patients. All
tumors were isointense to the myocardium in precontrast images but demonstrated differential enhancement relative to myocardium after the administration of
Gd-DTPA. Two
tumors were hyperintense relative to myocardium, and the third was mostly hypointense, surrounded by a hyperintense rim. In the remaining case, no
tumor was found and the myocardium was homogeneously enhanced on postgadolinium images.
Gadolinium DTPA can produce differential enhancement of
tumor from normal myocardium and therefore demonstrate intramural masses.