Role of Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Congenital Thoracic Vascular Anomalies

Abstract

Background: multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) provides reliable diagnostic information on the normal anatomy of the aorta, pulmonary arteries & veins and vena cava, as well as congenital anomalies in pediatric and adult patients. Objective: in this study, we assess the role of multidetector CT scan in the evaluation and its ability to diagnose congenital thoracic vascular anomalies as well as it is importance to recognize these anomalies early for proper treatment and follow up, and also to prevent morbidities and mortalities. Patients and Methods: the study was done in National Heart Institute, Ministry of health Egypt. It included a total of 80 patients (50 males and 30 females, their age ranged between, 2 days to 64 years and the mean age was 11.6±18 years), who underwent MDCT (using GE 16/64-multislice CT) angiography from December 2018 to June 2019 and had diagnosed of congenital thoracic vascular anomalies, or asymptomatic (incidentally discovered). Results: a total of 80 patients had done 16/64-MDCT angiograms were considered to be of adequate diagnostic image quality. Twenty-seven patients diagnosed as systemic arterial (aortic) anomalies corresponding to 33.7% in all cases, the right aortic arch anomalies (9 cases) are represented the most frequent cases (11.2 %). Conclusion: The ability to diagnose congenital vascular thoracic anomalies has evolved tremendously in the past 20 years. Traditional methods of plain radiographs and barium swallow studies as well as invasive angiography have now been supplanted with MR imaging and MDCT, minimally invasive methods that provide superb resolution and a large field of view.