Virtual intraluminal evaluation of aortico-left ventricular tunnel by multislice computed tomography

Abstract

The aortico-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a rare abnormal channel that arises from the right coronary sinus through the right ventricular outflow tract to enter the left ventricle below the aortic valve. The unique ability of multislice computed tomography (CT), as applied in the virtual coloscopy, has not been well established in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We herein investigate the virtual intraluminal image in a patient with an ALVT. An 18-year-old male was admitted with a 6-month-long history of progressive exertional dyspnea. He was diagnosed to suffer from ALVT at 5 months of age and received prosthetic patch closure of the aortic opening of the tunnel with mild residual aortic regurgitation. On admission this time, physical examination revealed a grade 3/6 diastolic murmur over the right upper sternal border. A 16-row multislice CT angiography demonstrated an ALVT. In the 3D reconstructed images, the orifice and intraluminal structure of ALVT were clearly visualized at different levels, similar to a real intracardiac endoscopic images. The patient was then referred for aortic valve replacement due to heart failure caused by severe degenerative aortic insufficiency. Our case displayed successfully not only the entire location of ALVT but also demonstrated the virtual intralunimal imaging mimicking endoscopy. This technique provides the virtual visualization of the entire inner image of AVLT, which may not be possible with other imaging modalities.