The Value of Multi-slice CT Imaging in Cardiac Myxomas in Comparison with Follow-Up Screening in Thoracoscopic Surgery

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the ability of multi-slice CT (MSCT) imaging for the diagnosis of cardiac myxomas (CMs) in comparison with follow-up screening in thoracoscopic surgery. 40 consecutive patients who had CMs confirmed by thoracoscopic surgery underwent MSCT scanning. The radiological findings were analyzed to reveal the tumor location, appearance, size, pedicle diameter and originating, and compared with surgical outcomes in the follow-up studies. We found that the tumor location and appearance were all definitely diagnosed in the radiological findings and were consistent with the surgical outcomes with the coincidence rate of 100%. All the tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement, with a pedicle originating from the atrial septum. Compared with the results of surgical outcomes, the accuracy of MSCT for measuring tumor size and pedicle diameter has no statistical difference. The results indicate that MSCT imaging provides a great incremental value for the diagnosis of CMs in comparison with follow-up screening in thoracoscopic surgery.