[The diagnostic value of M-mode-, two-dimensional echocardiography, and computed tomography in comparison to the results of cardiac catheterization in the diagnosis of tumors of the heart (author's transl)].

12 patients with cardiac tumors (7 myxomas of the left, 2 of the right atrium, 2 ventricular, 2 intramural tumors and 1 epicardial cyst) were examined by M-Mode-(ME) and two-dimensional (2DE) echocardiography, computertomography (CT) and heart catheterization (HK) with angiography (A). The results were compared with intraoperative findings. There were no false negative results with 2DE and CT, but in 1 case the size of an intramural tumor was underestimated by 2DE. With ME all atrial myxomas were diagnosed, but 2 ventricular and 2 intramural tumors as well as the epicardial cyst were overlooked. Also with HK and A, the 2 intramural tumors and the epicardial cyst were not recognized well. The results indicate that the diagnosis of cardiac tumors can be made with great accuracy by noninvasive methods. The sensitivity of the single methods depends on the location of the tumors.