[Computer tomographic and echocardiographic diagnosis of intracardial space occupying masses].

Nineteen patients suspected of having intracavitary masses were examined by echo-cardiography and computer tomography. One 1 cm. thrombus on the mitral valve could be demonstrated only on the echo-cardiogram and was interpreted as a tumour. Both CT and echo-cardiograms produced occasional false negative findings with cardiac thrombi, which were ultimately diagnosed by the other method or by ventriculography. Differentiation between a thrombus and a tumour depends essentially on its localisation and on the history, and some morphological criteria. Echo-cardiography and densitometric measurements did not assist in the differential diagnosis. CT may be able to differentiate thrombus from tumour if the latter contained fat or has become cystic.