MR and CT for detection of cardiac tumors.

Although echocardiography is mostly applied for the diagnosis of heart tumors there are restrictions concerning the representation of the mediastinal and cardial topography in spite of the usage of transoesophageal echocardiography. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MR) are able to give a full representation of the heart and also the thorax with mediastinum, pleura, and lungs. Not only for the diagnosis of various kinds of heart tumors but also for decisions concerning the therapy, the detection of postoperative complications and development are CT and MR very valuable procedures. The ability to deliver a complete cross-section of all cardial, mediastinal, pulmonal and thoracic structures--in contrast to angiocardiography--and without any anatomic restrictions in contrast to echocardiography--is another advantage of CT and MR. Because of the fullness of information CT and MR supply these procedures are especially used for the detailed planning of operative procedures. They are also a big help in determining whether surgery might have to be excluded because a complete tumor resection is not possible anymore.