The role of echocardiography in diagnosing space-occupying lesions of the heart

In contrast to primary cardiac tumors, which are less frequent and mostly benign in nature, the majority of intracardiac tumors are metastatic lesions. Cardiac ultrasound has evolved enormously since its emergence in the 1950s and is presently the modality of choice for imaging space-occupying lesions of the heart; it provides high quality, real-time images that are extremely valuable in the evaluation of cardiac masses. Although transthoracic echocardiography is an excellent initial diagnostic technique to evaluate and diagnose cardiac masses, transesophageal echocardiography provides superior image resolution and better visualization of cardiac masses in patients with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiography studies. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are additional tools used for cardiac imaging and may provide useful information in addition to that obtained by echocardiography, especially when the images obtained by the latter are suboptimal.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of left atrial mass lesions

Transesophageal echocardiography with color flow Doppler studies was performed on 12 consecutive patients who had left atrial mass identified by transthoracic echocardiography. In two patients with atrial myxoma, transesophageal study identified the tumor by its attachment to the atrial septum. In all instances, the tumors were larger and more mobile by transesophageal study and influenced the decision to operate early on an asymptomatic patient. In six instances the masses in the atria were deemed to be thrombi because of associated spontaneous echo contrast, location in the left atrial appendage, mitral valvular disease or prosthesis, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and enlarged left atrial chamber. In two patients the left atrial masses on transesophageal imaging were large vegetations attached to the mitral valve with ruptured chordae tendineae. In two patients, because of superior quality images obtained by transesophageal imaging, the atrial mass lesions were deemed to be a prominent muscle band between the left atrial appendage and left upper pulmonary vein. In conclusion, transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic imaging in elucidating the cause and significance of atrial mass lesions and helps in guiding appropriate therapy.     

Acquired aorta-pulmonary artery fistula: diagnosis by multiple imaging modalities.

Acquired communication between the aorta and the pulmonary artery is a rare phenomenon. We describe two patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm in whom the diagnosis of a communication with the pulmonary artery was first made on transthoracic echocardiography and then more completely elucidated by means of multiple imaging modalities: transesophageal echocardiography, epiaortic ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Representative images from these complementary studies are presented. A successful repair of the fistula was subsequently accomplished in both patients.     

Three-dimensional imaging of aortic arch anomalies in infants and children with intravascular ultrasound catheters from a transesophageal approach.

Aortic arch anomalies usually require surgical intervention preceded by precise anatomic definition. We studied 20 patients to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of using intravascular ultrasound catheters from a transesophageal approach with 3-dimensional image reconstruction for the diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies in infants and children. All patients had transthoracic echocardiograms and/or angiograms or magnetic resonance imaging. A 12.5-MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter was positioned in the esophagus and withdrawn by using an electrocardiogram and a respiratory gated pullback device to acquire the mediastinal images. All patients with arch anomalies underwent surgical repair. Reconstructed images were analyzed in the "anyplane" mode and with surface rendering. Intravascular ultrasound 3-dimensional imaging was successfully accomplished without complications. Anatomy was correctly identified in all patients by both blinded and unblinded observers, thus confirming the sensitivity and accuracy of the technique. We foresee this new technique to be useful as an adjunctive imaging modality applicable at the bedside or in the cardiac imaging laboratory.     

Tissue characterization of an unusual right atrial mass by magnetic resonance imaging

In a 70-year-old man who had angina, exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia, and presyncopal symptoms, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography disclosed a large atrial mass that resembled a myxoma. Subsequent evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging identified the mass as an intracardiac lipoma attached to the posterior wall of the right atrium, a diagnosis that was confirmed by surgical intervention. Thus, the diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance imaging as an adjunct to echocardiographic evaluation of intracardiac masses was demonstrated.     

Radiologic evaluation of acute chest pain--suspected myocardial ischemia

The American College of Radiology has developed appropriateness criteria for a number of clinical conditions and procedures. Criteria are available on imaging tests used in the evaluation of acute chest pain--suspected myocardial ischemia. Imaging tests for a suspected cardiac etiology include transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, radionuclide perfusion imaging, radionuclide ventriculography, radionuclide infarct avid imaging, and positron emission tomography. If the cardiac ischemic work-up is negative or indeterminate, applicable tests include chest radiography; conventional, multidetector, and electron beam computed tomography; and magnetic resonance imaging. A summary of the criteria, with the advantages and limitations of each test, is presented in this article.     

经胸及经食管超声心动图在诊断心脏疾病中的价值探讨

目的：比较经胸超声心动图（TTE）与经食管超声心动图（TEE）对心脏疾病中的诊断价值。方法：回顾分析行TEE与TTE对比检查46例心脏病患者的临床资料。结合直视下心脏外科手术、封堵术,比较TEE与TTE心脏超声影像特点,分析两者在诊断心脏疾病中的差异。结果：TEE诊断心脏疾病准确率为100%,TTE的准确率为82.6%。TEE虽然无法替代TTE,但它可以得到许多TTE无法获得的诊断信息。结论：术前开展TEE有助于提高心脏疾病诊断准确性。     

Echocardiography in the diagnosis of thoracic aortic pathology

Transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography has been well established as a useful technique for evaluating many pathologic processes affecting the thoracic aorta. However, the distance of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta from the chest wall and the interposition of highly attenuating lung and highly reflective mediastinal structures between the transducer and the aorta present unavoidable limitations. Transesophageal echocardiography is a relatively new technology that overcomes many of the inherent limitations with transthoracic imaging. Complete echocardiographic evaluation of the entire thoracic aorta can now be achieved in nearly all patients. This article will review the continually expanding role of echocardiography in the evaluation of thoracic aortic pathology, including the dramatic impact of transesophageal imaging on the diagnosis of life-threatening disorders such as aortic dissection.     

Dissection of the proximal thoracic aorta: a new ultrasonographic sign in the subxiphoid view

Dissection of the thoracic aorta is a life-threatening event that presents with some regularity to emergency departments (EDs). Despite often nonspecific symptoms, it is critical to catch this disease process early, especially when the proximal aorta is involved because dissections involving the aortic root can lead to myocardial infarction and failure of the aortic valve resulting in death. Current imaging options include contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT), angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or transesophageal echocardiography. Although not as accurate as transesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can be used to detect aortic dissection as well. We present a previously undescribed echocardiographic finding associated with proximal dissection of the thoracic aorta in 7 cases.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of right atrial mass lesions

Transesophageal echocardiography with color flow Doppler studies was performed on 10 consecutive patients who had right atrial masses identified by transthoracic echocardiography. In one patient with right atrial myxoma, transesophageal study identified the tumor by its attachment to the atrial septum and ruled out the transthoracic finding of possible additional tumor mass in the right ventricle. In two instances the mass in the atria were deemed to be thrombi because of lack of attachment to the atrial septum, atrial fibrillation, and enlarged right atrial chambers. In all patients, the thrombi appeared larger by transesophageal study and was associated in one instance with atrial septal defect. The atrial septal defect was not identified by the transthoracic study and probably accounted for stroke of the patient through paradoxical emboli. In six patients, because of superior quality images rendered by transesophageal imaging, the right atrial mass lesions were deemed to be anatomic variants, which included prominent eustachian valves, remnants of Chiari network, and thickened atrial septum. We concluded that transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic imaging in elucidating the cause and significance of right atrial mass lesions and that it helps in guiding appropriate therapy.     

Intrapericardial carcinoid metastasis.

Carcinoid tumors are malignancies of neuroendocrine tissue. Metastasis, most commonly to the liver, is associated with the carcinoid syndrome characterized by secretory symptoms and right-sided valvular heart disease. We report a case of previously unidentified pericardial metastasis, in the absence of any valvular disease, thus, reflecting an unusual cardiac complication of this tumor. A 50-year-old patient with histologically confirmed carcinoid syndrome underwent screening transthoracic echocardiography that demonstrated a large mass posterior to the interatrial septum. The location of this mass was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging to be entirely within the pericardial space without evidence of myocardial involvement. The mass was removed at thoracotomy and histology confirmed metastatic carcinoid disease. Although patients with carcinoid syndrome are at risk of cardiac valvular complications, and should be screened, this case demonstrates an unusual and previously unidentified site of metastatic disease.     

Imaging in mitral stenosis: assessment before, during and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty

Detailed assessment of mitral valve morphology is required to select patients for successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). The mitral valve is routinely imaged using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, which have more recently been supplemented with magnetic resonance imaging, 3D echocardiography and intracardiac echocardiography. The scope of PBMV is expanding and it is increasingly used for patients previously considered to have unfavorable mitral morphology. Here we review the evidence to support the examination of each component of the mitral valve and its surrounding structures and the advantages of each imaging modality. Appropriate echocardiographic views are recommended and periprocedural and postprocedural imaging techniques are discussed.     

Imaging in mitral stenosis: assessment before,during and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty

Detailed assessment of mitral valve morphology is required to select patients for successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV). The mitral valve is routinely imaged using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, which have more recently been supplemented with magnetic resonance imaging, 3D echocardiography and intracardiac echocardiography. The scope of PBMV is expanding and it is increasingly used for patients previously considered to have unfavorable mitral morphology. Here we review the evidence to support the examination of each component of the mitral valve and its surrounding structures and the advantages of each imaging modality. Appropriate echocardiographic views are recommended and periprocedural and postprocedural imaging techniques are discussed.     

Left atrial appendage aneurysm presenting with recurrent embolic strokes

A case of left atrial appendage aneurysm is described in a 40-year-old man, who presented with recurrent embolic strokes and was asymptomatic until the last 6 months. Chest X-ray revealed a slightly prominent upper left heart border. The diagnosis was made by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging and also by surgery.     

Value of transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography for detection of different types of atrial septal defect in adults.

In 121 adults, the value of transthoracic and transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography for detection of different types of atrial septal defect (ASD) or of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return was analyzed. The 121 patients had a total of 129 defects with left-to-right atrial shunting (including eight patients with two types of defects). All of six cases with primum-type ASD were diagnosed correctly by both echocardiographic methods. Ninety-seven patients showed a secundum-type ASD during transesophageal echocardiography: by transthoracic echocardiography, only eight (20%) of the 40 small defects (diameter < 5 mm) were detected as compared with 15 (83%) of the 18 defects with a diameter of 5 to 10 mm and all 39 defects with a diameter > 10 mm. A sinus venosus--type ASD was evident by transesophageal echocardiography in 11 patients, of which only one (9%) was demonstrated by the transthoracic approach. Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return was seen by transesophageal echocardiography in 13 patients but missed in two other patients in whom anomalous pulmonary venous return was subsequently identified by surgery (both with anomalous return of the upper right pulmonary vein into the superior vena cava). By use of the transthoracic technique, partial anomalous venous return was detected in only two cases, both of which had "scimitar syndrome." Compared with transthoracic echocardiography, the transesophageal approach is clearly superior in the detection of small secundum-type ASD, sinus venosus--type ASD, and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return.     

Diagnostic value of transesophageal echocardiography in atrial septal aneurysm

Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 40 consecutive adult patients with an atrial septal aneurysm. In 11 (27%) of 40 patients transthoracic echocardiography failed to demonstrate the lesion and the diagnosis was established by the transesophageal approach only. Interatrial shunting, assessed by echocardiographic contrast study and/or color flow mapping, was detected in 13 (54%) of 24 patients on transthoracic imaging and in 29 (76%) of 38 patients during transesophageal echocardiography. Identification of multiple fenestrations (n=9) and thrombi within the aneurysm (n=2) could be achieved only by transesophageal ultrasound. A cerebrovascular event of suspected embolic origin occurred in 20 (50%) of 40 patients; 11 (55%) of the 20 patients had repeated cerebral events. Except for mitral valve prolapse in 2 patients and spontaneous left atrial contrast phenomenon in 1 patient no other potential cardiac source of embolism could be identified by transesophageal echocardiography. A marked thickening of the aneurysm was present in 14 (70%) of 20 patients with a cerebrovascular event versus only 4 (20%) of 20 patients without a cerebrovascular event (p<0,01). The mechanism of embolization may be both primary thrombus formation within the aneurysm and paradoxical embolization through an interatrial communication as suggested by the findings on transesophageal ultrasound in 2 patients. Although the patients of this study represent a highly selected group it may be concluded that atrial septal aneurysm is a cardiac abnormality with embolic potential. Transesophageal echocardiography has to be regarded the imaging method of choice for evaluation of this lesion.     

Comparison of conventional and transesophageal echocardiography with magnetic resonance imaging for anatomical mapping of thoracic aortic dissection

Thirty-five consecutive patients with clinically suspected aortic dissection were subjected to a dual noninvasive imaging protocol using comprehensive echocardiography and ECG-triggered MRI with multi-slice spin echo and cine sequences in random order. The purpose of this dual imaging study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional and color-coded Doppler echocardiography using the conventional transthoracic (TTE) and the transesophageal approach (TEE) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the exact morphologic evaluation and anatomical mapping of the thoracic aorta. The results of each diagnostic method were validated independently against the ‘gold standard’ of intraoperative findings (n=17), necropsy (n=4) or contrast angiography (n=22). Compared to conventional transthoracic echocardiography both TEE and MRI were more reliable in detecting aortic dissections (TTE vs TEE: p<0.02; TTE vs MRI: p<0.01) and associated epiphenomena. Moreover, the reliability of TTE decreased significantly from proximal to distal segments of the aorta, e.g. from the ascending segment to the arch (p<0.05) and to the descending aorta (p<0.005), whereas the sensitivities of both TEE and MRI were excellent irrespective of the site of dissection. With regard to epiphenomena such as thrombus formation and entry location, MRI emerged as the optimal method for detailed morphologic information in all segments of the aorta. No serious side effects were encountered with either method. Thus, in patients with suspected acute or subacute aortic dissections the echocardiographic assessment should include the transesophageal approach for significant improvement of the moderate sensitivity and specificity of TTE. Both TEE and MRI are non-traumatic, safe and diagnostically accurate to identify and classify acute and subacute dissections of the thoracic aorta irrespective of their location. MRI provides superb anatomical mapping of all type A and B dissections and more detailed information on the site of entry and thrombus formation than TEE. These features of TEE and MRI may render retrograde contrast angiography obsolete in the setting of thoracic aortic dissection and may encourage surgical interventions exclusively on the basis of noninvasive imaging.     

主动脉夹层的超声心动图诊断及与其他影像诊断的比较

目的 探讨经胸超声心动图（ＴＴＥ）、经食管超声心动图（ＴＥＥ）对主动脉夹层的诊断价值。并与磁共振影像（ＭＲＩ）、超高速ＣＴ）ＵＦＣＴ）等影像诊断进行比较。方法 对１３９例经手术证实的主动脉夹层患者临床资料进行分析。对照手术结果,评价超声心动图诊断主动脉夹层ＤｅＢａｋｅｙ分型以及并发症的准确性,并与ＭＲＩ、ＵＦＣＴ诊断结果进行比较,结果 ＴＴＥ、ＴＥＥ、ＵＦＣＴ、ＭＲＩ对主动脉夹层的诊断率分别为８９     

双平面经食管超声心动图在Amplatzer堵塞器经心导管关闭小儿房间隔缺损中的价值

目的评价经食管超声心动图(TEE)在Amplatzer堵塞器经心导管关闭房间隔缺损(ASD)中的应用价值.方法对57例继发孔型ASD患者,在TEE监测下应用Amplatzer堵塞器经心导管关闭ASD.结果48例获得成功,由于术前经胸超声心动图诊断不准确,9例未成功.ASD的经胸超声测量值与球囊伸展径间差异有显著性意义(P＜0 01),但相关(r=0.87,P＜0.01);TEE测值与球囊伸展径间高度相关(r=0.93,P＜0.01).术后即刻TEE检查显示7例患者存在微量残余分流.结论TEE可以准确地显示ASD的大小、部位及其边缘的解剖形态,有利于术前病例的选择、术中闭合器的安置及术后即刻疗效的判定,是一种安全、有效的监测手段.     

多平面经食管超声及彩色血流显像对人工瓣膜正常及病理性反流的诊断价值

目的 旨在评价多平面经食管超声及彩色血流显像对人工金属瓣膜正常和病理性反流的诊断价值。方法 经本院心外科进行瓣膜替换术的连续患者37例,男性19例,女性18例,平均年龄47.41±9.89岁,其中单瓣替换患者21例(二尖瓣替换患者17例,主动脉瓣替换患者4例),双瓣替换患者16例。所有患者均进行经胸超声和多平面经食管超声检查。 结果 (1)单纯二尖瓣替换患者,经胸超声和彩色血流显像诊断人工金属二尖瓣正常及病理性反流的准确性为64.7％,漏检率为18.1％,低估率为11.8％。(2)单纯主动脉瓣替换患者,经胸超声和彩色血流显像诊断人工主动脉瓣正常及病理性反流的准确性为50％,漏检率为25％,高估率为50％。(3)双瓣替换患者:经胸超声和彩色血流显像诊断二尖瓣正常及病理性反流的准确性为56.2％,高估率为25％,漏检率为31.2％,误诊率为18.8％。经胸超声和彩色血流显像诊断主动脉瓣正常及病理性反流的准确性为56.2％,高估率为43.7％,低估率为6％,漏检率6％,误诊率为31.3％。 结论 多平面经食管超声及彩色血流显像在评价人工金属瓣膜病理性反流方面优于经胸超声。