Objective: Persistent left superior vena cava without bringing vein (PLSVC w/o BV) is a common thoracic venous anomaly, while aberrant left brachiocephalic vein (ALBCV) is an uncommon condition. We compared the incidences of the two venous anomalies and assessed congenital cardiovascular diseases (CCDs) in adults using computed tomography (CT).Materials and Methods: We reviewed the recorded reports or CT images of 49,494 adults for PLSVC w/o BV and ALBCV in two hospitals. We determined incidences of two venous anomalies and the rate of associated CCDs.Results: 76 PLSVCs w/o BV and 27 ALBCVs were found. The incidence of PLSVC w/o BV was 0.15% and the incidence of ALBCV was 0.055%. PLSVC w/o BV had higher incidence than ALBCV (p<0.001). Four PLSVCs w/o BV and one ALBCV were associated with congenital heart diseases. Two PLSVCs w/o BV and four ALBCVs were associated with congenital aortic arch anomaly (CAAA). ALBCV had higher incidence of associated CAAA than PLSVC w/o BV (P=0.02).Conclusion: The incidence of ALBCV was <50% that of PLSVC w/o BV. The two venous anomalies found on CT during adulthood were rarely associated with CCDs.

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Background The utility of virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) for fine arteries has not been well clarified. Purpose To assess bronchial artery visualization using VMI and noise-optimized advanced VMI (VMI+). Material and Methods Eighty-seven patients with esophageal cancer underwent computed tomography (CT) using a third-generation dual-source system before surgery. Tube voltages were set to 90 kVp and 150 kVp, respectively. Images were reconstructed using VMI and VMI+ with energy levels of 40–120 keV (in 10-keV increments); composite images equivalent to CT images at 105 kVp were also generated. The CT attenuation value and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of bronchial arteries using VMI and VMI+ were compared with those obtained using composite imaging. Two radiologists subjectively analyzed bronchial artery visualization with reference to the composite image. Results CT attenuation values for bronchial arteries using VMI at 40–60 keV and VMI+ at 40 keV and 50 keV were significantly higher than those obtained using composite imaging ( P < 0.05). CNR using VMI at 40–60 keV was significantly higher than that obtained using composite imaging ( P < 0.05), whereas no differences were noted for values obtained using composite imaging between VMI+ at 40 keV and 50 keV. In the subjective analysis, VMI at 40 keV and 50 keV yielded significantly better visibility of bronchial arteries than VMI+ ( P < 0.05). Conclusion VMI and VMI+ at low voltages (40–50 keV) may be useful for bronchial artery visualization. VMI+ may be less effective for fine vessels as bronchial artery visualization.

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