Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Cardiac Hydatid Cyst

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of cardiac hydatid disease and show the specific findings in the diagnosis of hydatic cysts.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of cardiac MRI records between 2015 and 2017, 7 patients (3 males, 4 females; age range: 14-74) were identified with the histologic diagnosis of cardiac hydatid disease. Cardiac MRI examinations were performed in order to investigate the cardiac cystic-solid lesion obtained via previous echocardiography (ECG) and thorax computed tomography. 1.5 Tesla magnetic field power generation capacity was used and the images were acquired with ECG trigger.

Results: There is variation in signal characteristics of cysts on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Early contrast enhancement was not observed in the any of lesions on contrast-enhanced series. In all lesions examined, peripheral contrast enhancement was observed in the late contrast enhanced series, independent from the internal structure and signal intensity.

Conclusions: MRI reveals the exact anatomic location and nature of the cyst structures. Peripheral enhancement of non-enhancing lesion is very valuable for diagnosis of cardiac hydatids on MRI.