MRI assessment of cardiac tumours: part 2, spectrum of appearances of histologically malignant lesions and tumour mimics

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the reference standard technique for assessment and characterization of a suspected cardiac tumour. It provides an unrestricted field of view, high temporal resolution and non-invasive tissue characterization based on multi-parametric assessment of the chemical micro-environment. Sarcomas account for around 95% of all primary malignant cardiac tumours with lymphoma, and primary pericardial mesothelioma making up most of the remainder of cases. By contrast cardiac metastases are much more common. In this article we review the MRI features of the spectrum of histologically malignant cardiac and pericardial tumours as well as some potential tumour mimics.