Cardiac CT Appearances

Cardiac Lymphoma CT Findings

• Soft tissue epicardial or myocardial mass
• Iso- to hypoattenuation relative to myocardium
• Heterogeneous enhancement
• Extends along epicardial surface
• Wraps and infiltrates myocardium, pericardium, great vessels and/or coronary arteries

Other Information About Cardiac Lymphoma

Etiology:

• Unknown

Epidemiology:

• Rare
• More common in males
• Typically presents in 7th decade of life but can occur at any age
• Typically affects immunosuppressed patients such as those with HIV or post transplant patients

Presentation:

• Dyspnea
• Chest pain and/or tightness
• Syncope
• Arrhythmia
• Heart failure
• Atrial flutter and fibrillation
• Pericardial effusion
• SVC syndrome

Prognosis:

• Since primary cardiac lymphoma is so rare, the true prognosis is unknown
• The 5-year relative survival rate is reported to be about 38%

Related Pearls: Cardiac Tumors

Related Lectures:
CT of Cardiac Masses: Pearls and Pitfalls - Part 2
CT Detection and Evaluation of Cardiac Masses: What You Need to Know - Part 2