Relevant secondary findings in magnetic resonance imaging of the heart using the examples of a bronchial carcinoma and a malignant lymphoma]

Background. Here we consider the prevalence of extracardiac findings in the standard sequences and planning surveys of cardiac MRI. Patients and methods. Over a period of 2 years, 363 patients (261 men, 102 women) with different clinical diagnoses were examined by cardiac MRI. The MRI protocol included a planning survey in three planes and standard sequences in long and short axis orientation. Results. A total of 53 extracardiac findings were detected: 1 lymphoma, 1 bronchogenic carcinoma, I retroperitoneal hematoma, 1 mediastinal lymphadenopathy, I tumor of the adrenal glad, 16 pleural effusions, 14 renal cysts, 12 liver cysts, 2 pulmonary infiltrate, 1 atelectasis, 2 cholecystolithiasis, I diaphragmatic elevation, 1 hiatus hernia. Conclusion. Evaluation of the standard sequences and the planning surveys is useful for discovering extracardiac findings in a cardiac MRI and should be carried out routinely.