Value of Multidetector Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Thoracic Venous Abnormalities among Pediatrics with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Venous anomalies of the thorax can involve systemic or pulmonary veins and range from isolated incidental findings to components of more complex anomalies, most often congenital heart disease (CHD). Although echocardiography and catheter directed cardiac angiography are generally accepted as the primary imaging techniques for evaluation of CHD, CT and MRI are important complementary diagnostic tools. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) with its increasing availability and utility is now becoming a further method of imaging CHD. In light of its widespread availability, MDCT and 3D imaging are increasingly considered as a viable “one-stop shop” for preoperative imaging evaluation of cardiovascular structures in selected pediatric patients. Aim of the work: The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of MDCT in visualization of the thoracic venous system in pediatrics with congenital heart disease, show prevalence and types of venous anomalies and to compare this data with echocardiographic findings. Methods: The studied group included 30 cases referred to us by pediatric cardiologists to be examined by MSCT angiography of the heart and thoracic vessels. All the patients were known cases of congenital heart disease and underwent echocardiography. They were referred to answer specific anatomic question raised by inconclusive echocardiography, to assess suspected systemic and suspected pulmonary venous anomalies. All patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination and MDCT examination with CT lightspeed VCT XT 64-detectors row scanner (General Electric, Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA). Results: CTA findings had 77.8 % concordance with echocardiographic findings regarding SVC anomalies, 66.7 % concordance with echocardiography regarding IVC anomalies and 90 % concordance regarding pulmonary venous anomalies. Conclusion: Low dose protocol CTA is a promising method that complementary to Echocardioraphy for imaging of extracardiac vascular structures in pediatrics with congenital heart diseases.