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The Radiology Assistant

Vascular Anomalies of Aorta, Pulmonary and Systemic vessels


by Marilyn J. Siegel and Robin Smithuis
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA and the Rijnland Hospital in Leiderdorp, the Netherlands
l Overview of Arch Anomalies
Embryology
l Aortic Arch Anomalies
Right Arch Mirror Image
Right Arch with Aberrant left subclavian
Double Aortic Arch
Left Arch Aberrant Right SCA
Innominate artery compression syndrome
Aortic Coarctation
l Pulmonary Arterial anomalies
Pulmonary agenesis
Pulmonary Sling
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
l Pulmonary venous anomalies
Partial Anomalous Venous Return
Scimitar syndrome
l Systemic veins
Left Superior Vena Cava
Left Superior Intercostal Vein.
Azygos Continuation of IVC
l Technique and Protocol
This review is based on a presentation by Marilyn
Siegel and was adapted and illustrated for the
Radiology Assistant by Robin Smithuis.
Marilyn Siegel is specialized in pediatric and chest
radiology.
The second edition of her book entitled Pediatric Body
CT will be out next week.
In this review we will discuss the most common
vascular anomalies of the aorta, pulmonary vessels
and systemic veins in the chest.
Most of these anomalies are found in children, but
sometimes they are discovered later in adulthood.
Many of these anomalies are asymptomatic or 'leave
alone' lesions, but some of these anomalies are
symptomatic and need to be treated.
As a radiologist we have to be familiar with these
anomalies.
A simple mouse click on an item on the left will bring
you directly to this subject.
Publicationdate:1-11-2007
Overview of Arch Anomalies
1. Aberrant Right subclavian artery
Most common arch anomaly
Not a true ring
Usually asymptomatic
Sometimes dysphagia lusoria when dilated
suvclavian artery compresses esophagus
posteriorly.
2. Innominate artery compression syndrome
In children the brachiocephalic (innominate)
artery is located more to the left and may
compresses the trachea anteriorly.
3. Right Arch Mirror Image
Mirror-image variety of the left arch
Asymptomatic
Associated congenital heart disease in 98%,
mostly tetralogy of Fallot.
4. Right Arch with Aberrant left subclavian
Left subclavian artery is the last branch.
Obstructing anomaly.
5. Double Aortic Arch
Complete ring encircles esophagus and trachea
Four vessel sign.
6. Double Arch with Atretic Segment
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Left arch is very small and has atretic posterior
segment.
Still a four vessel sign.
Embryology
l Double Arch:
In the embryo a double arch with two
brachiocephalic vessels on each side is present.
If double aortic arch persists, it forms a vascular
ring around trachea and esophagus.
l Double Arch with Atretic Segment:
Posterior part of the left arch becomes atretic.
This nonpatent remnant persists as a fibrous
cord tethering the anterior left arch to the
descending aorta.
l Normal Left Arch:
The posterior part of the right arch involutes.
The two brachiocephalic vessels on the right
form the right innominate artery.
l Right Arch with mirror branching:
Mirror image of normal left arch.
Posterior part of the left arch involutes.
The two brachiocephalic vessels on the left form
the left innominate artery.
l Left Arch with aberrant right subclavian artery:
Right arch between the right subclavian and
right common carotid artery involutes.
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First branch is the right common carotid,
followed by the left carotid and the left
subclavian artery. The last branch is the right
aberrant subclavian artery.
l Right Arch with aberrant left subclavian artery:
Mirror image of the left arch with aberrant right
subclavian artery.
Left arch between the left subclavian and left
common carotid artery involutes.
First branch is left common carotid, followed by
right carotid and right subclavian artery. The
last branch is the left aberrant subclavian
artery.
When you look at these illustrations, you have to
realize, that these are views from above, while CT-
images have a 'view from feet'.
On a CT-image the ascending aorta will be on the
upper part of the image and the descending aorta will
be on the lower part.
Aortic Arch Anomalies
Axial image and volume rendering posterior view
Right Arch Mirror Image
This is the mirror-image variety of the left arch.
On the left a 2 year old girl with wheezing and
coughing.
Study the images and then continue.
You have to realize, that axial CT-images are viewed
from the feet, while the illustrations above are viewed
from above
On the axial image there is a right arch
On the volume rendered image there is mirror image
branching of the brachiocephalic arteries, no aberrant
subclavian artery, so this is a right arch mirror image.
Mirror image aortic arch (yellow arrow) and a VSD (red
arrow)
This anomaly is asymptomatic, because there is no
obstructing ring.
Almost all of these patients however come to our
attention because they have associated congenital
heart disease in 98% of cases.
This patient had a mirror image aortic arch and a
VSD.
On the left an adult who was operated in his childhood
for a Tetralogy of Fallot (pulmonary stenosis, right
ventricular hypertrophy, VSD, overriding aorta).
At surgery the VSD was patched and the pulmonary
outflow tract was enlarged.
Notice that there is also a right arch.
In the United States there are now more than one
million adults who have survived their congenital
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Mirror image aortic arch in patient operated for tetralogy of
Fallot.
heart disease.

In the ER you will see these patients because they age
and get chest pain like many adults do and so you will
see these anomalies more frequently.
Right Arch with Aberrant left subclavian
The Right Aortic Arch with an aberrant left subclavian
is an obstructing arch anomaly.
The first branch of the aorta is the right common
carotid, followed by the right subclavian artery and
the left common carotid.
This also is a true ring.
The ligamentum ductus arteriosus between the arch at
the level of the left subclavian artery and the left
pumonary artery completes the ring.
If this ligament is very short, there will be a lot of
compression.
View more images: 1/4
Right Arch with Aberrant left subclavian
On the left a patient with a right arch with an aberrant
left subclavian (indicated by the yellow arrow).
Scroll through the images on the left.
Again you have to realize that the axial CT-images
have a 'view from feet'.
Which vessels are indicated by the yellow and green
arrow?
There is a right arch and the left subclavian artery is
the last branch of the aortic arch, indicating that this
is an aberrant left subclavian.
Medially to the left subclavian artery we see the left
common carotid, that originates from the right side
and has an oblique course to the left.
The yellow arrow indicates the azygos vein.
The green arrow indicates the left superior intercostal
vein, a normal variant, that we will discuss later.
Right Arch with Aberrant left subclavian (yellow arrow)
Same patient.
Posterior oblique view of volume rendered image to
show the aberrant left subclavian artery.
In a mirror type right arch, the left subclavian is the
first brach and forms the left innominate together with
the left common carotid.
On the left images of a symptomatic child.
On the axial image there is a right arch with the left
subclavian artery that comes off on the posterior side
and runs behind the trachea and the esophagus.
The compression of the trachea is demonstrated on
the volume rendered view.
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Right Arch with Aberrant left subclavian
Double Aortic Arch
On the left a chest film of a 6-month old boy with
stridor and cough.
The trachea is deviated to the left, otherwise the chest
film is normal.
So there is some mass effect on the right side.
On the left the reconstructions demonstrating a
double aortic arch.
There are branches coming off the right arch and
branches coming off the left arch.
Double Aortic Arch
The right arch is typically larger and higher than the
left.
There is a complete ring that encircles the esophagus
and the trachea and usually there is stridor or
dysphagia.
Two brachiocephalic arteries arise on each side
separately (four vessel sign) and there is no
brachiocephalic artery.
On the left a chest film of a young adult with a cough.
There is a right paratracheal mass.
The differential diagnosis is tumor, adenopathy or
vessel (right arch, dilated azygos vein, dilated
aberrant right subclavian artery).
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On the left axial images and posterior view of volume
rendered reconstruction.
Describe the findings and then continue.
The findings are:
1. four vessel sign
2. double arch
3. right arch higher and larger
4. esophagus and trachea are completely encircled
The narrowing of the trachea is seen on the axial
images, but better appreciated on the MPR and
Volume Rendered image.
Pre- and post-operative reconstructions of a double aortic
arch
Image courtesy of Dr. W. Chu (4)
On the left preoperative and postoperative MDCT
studies of a 2-month-old female infant with double
aortic arch presenting with stridor and repeated
apnea.
The smaller left arch is partially resected.
Double Arch with Atretic Segment
Occasionally the double arch can have an atretic
segment.
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You should not confuse it for a right arch.
The left arch is just very small and there is still a four
vessel sign.
Double Arch with Atretic Segment
On the left a dominant right arch and a small left arch.
The atretic segment is marked by the arrow.
Notice the four vessel sign.
On a posterior view the interruption is nicely
demonstrated.
Remember that there is still a ring, so there is still
obstruction.
Another case on the left.
Do not call this a right arch.
It still is a double arch and there is a atretic fibrotic
segment on the posterior side of the left arch, that
completes the ring.
Notice the four vessel sign.
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Same patient.
Always look at the airways.
On the recoonstruction the impression on the trachea
is better appreciated.
Aberrant Right SCA, no compression of the trachea
Left Arch Aberrant Right SCA
l Also known as arteria lusoria.
l Most common arch anomaly.
l Not a true ring
l Usually asymptomatic.
On the left a young patient, who has a CT for another
reason.
Study the images and then continue.
Notice that there is a left arch, but the right
subclavian artery is the last brachiocephalic artery to
branch off the arch.
Dysphagia lusoria in patient with dilated aberrant right
subclavian artery.
Only rarely these patients become dysphagic
(dysphagia lusoria) , when the origin of the right
subclavian artery becomes dilated.
On a barium study of the esophagus you will see a
posterior impression with an oblique course directed
towards the right shoulder.
On the left a 78 year old woman with dysphagia.
There is consolidation in the right upper lobe, maybe
due to aspiration.
There is a dilated vessel that compresses the
esophagus and it originates from the left-sided aorta,
i.e. an aberrant right subclavian artery.
On the left the same patient with dilated aberrant
right subclavian artery.
Coronal reconstruction.
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View more images: 1/6
Left Arch-Aberrant Right subclavian artery. Scroll through
the images.
On the left another patient with an aberrant right
subclavian.
Scroll through the images.
When you follow the artery from inferior to superior, it
starts on the left side of the arch and travels obliquely
behind the esophagus to go to the right.
Innominate artery compression syndrome with compression
of the trachea
Innominate artery compression syndrome
On the left a sagittal scanogram, axial image and
sagittal reconstruction of a 5 year old girl with noisy
breathing and occasional episodes of cyanosis.
First look at the images then continue.
The findings are:
1. anterior compression of the trachea
2. brachiocephalic (innominate) artery is located more
to the left and compresses the trachea
The diagnosis is the innominate artery compression
syndrome.
In infants the innominate artery arises more to the
left than in adults, so it's got to go in front of the
trachea. It may compress the trachea, leading to
stridor, cough and dyspnea. This compression
decreases with age and these patients will outgrow it.
The compression in the innominate artery
compression syndrome is located on the right anterior
side and at the level of the thoracic inlet.
This is much higher than in the double arch or Right
Aortic Arch with Aberrant left subclavian
On the left another case with mild compression on the
trachea.
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Aortic Coarctation
l Narrowing at level of distal arch / descending aorta.
l Chest film: 'figure 3' sign, inferior rib notching.
l Intervention when gradient > 20 mm Hg.
l Associated with bicuspid aortic valve (75%), cerebral
aneurysms (5-10%) and Turner syndrome (20% have
coarctation)
On the left a 2 month old boy with heart failure.
First study the image, then continue
The findings are:
l Large thymus which is normal for a 2 month old.
l Striking discrepancy between diameter of ascending
and descending aorta.
The diagnosis is coarctation, which is nicely
demonstrated on the posterior view of the
reconstruction.
There are two types of coarctation.
The type we usually see is the post-ductal type, which
is distal to the left subclavian artery.
The uncommon pre-ductal type is seen in neonates.
They present with severe heart failure, mostly within
the first week of life, usually on the first day.
The occlusion is in front of the left subclavian.
First study the axial image followed by the sagittal
reconstruction, then continue.
The findings are:
l Big internal mammarian arteries on the axial image
due to a high grade stenosis as a result of a
coarctation. Probably could not make the diagnosis
based on the axial images alone.
l Post-ductal coartation only seen on sagittal
reconstruction.
l Intercostal collaterals.
The intercostal collaterals typically occur between the
3rd and the 8th rib.
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Intercostal collaterals in aortic coarctation
Pre-ductal type of coarctation
On the left two neonates with the pre-ductal type of
coarctation.
The stenosis is in front of the left subclavia and there
is arch hypoplasia.
Collaterals do not occur, probably because they don't
have time to develop.
Coarctation treated with angioplasty (left) and stent
placement (right)
Coarctation is treated with angioplasty, stent
placement or patch aortoplasty.
The image on the far left is the result after
angioplasty.
Next to it a patient who was treated with a stent.
Notice that the stent is obstructing the orfice of the
left subclavian artery.
Pseudo-aneurysm in coarctation treated with stent-
On the far left a patient who was treated with a stent.
The stent ruptured causing restenosis.
Next to it two patients with pseudo-aneurysm.
One after angioplasty and another who developed a
pseudo-aneurysm after stent placement.
They have to be repaired because they will rupture.
Pseudo-aneurysms are seen in
l 10% after angioplasty.
l 30% after patch aortoplasty.
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placement
Pulmonary Arterial anomalies
They most common anomalies of the pulmonary
arteries are listed in the table on the left.
Pulmonary agenesis on the right side
Pulmonary agenesis
l Also called congenital interruption of the pulmonary
artery.
l Unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery.
l Small lung and hilum.
l Compensatory hyperinflation of contralateral lung
with herniation.
On the left a young adult, who had cyanotic spells as
a child.
She is now in good health and comes in for another
reason.
On the chest film the differential is atelectasis,
pneumonia or maybe a tumor.
The CT shows, that he right lung is not developed and
the space around the atresic pulmonary artery is filled
with fibrofatty tissue with collaterals.
So this is pulmonary agenesis.
If many collaterals develop there will also be some
development of the lung.
Pulmonary agenesis on the left side
On the left another case of absent pulmonary artery
with absence of lung development.
On the CT the left lung is absent.
These patients may be totally asymptomatic.
Pulmonary Sling
Pulmonary Sling
On the left a 4 month old girl with abnormal echo,
benign heart murmur and no respiratory or feeding
difficulties.
The sagittal reconstruction shows an anomalous
vessel on the posterior side of the trachea.
There is a little mass effect on the trachea.
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Pulmonary Sling
In pulmonary sling the left PA originates from the
right PA and courses between the esophagus and the
trachea, where it compresses the right main bronchus.
Pulmonary sling is seen more frequent in children as it
is more symptomatic than in adults, because the chest
is smaller, but you can also encounter it in adults.
Pulmonary Sling with long segment stenosis of the trachea.
(Courtesy J. Schoef)
On the left images of a child with wheezing and
dyspnea.
The left PA comes off the right PA and runs between
the esophagus (with nasogastric tube) and the
trachea.
Some of these patients also have long segment
stenosis in the trachea because of cartilagenous rings.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
On the left an adolescent with a murmur.
On axial image and reconstruction the patent ductus
arteriosus is seen.
The ductus arteriosus is the communication between
the pulmonary artery and the proximal descending
aorta.
It shunts blood in utero from the right ventricle to the
aorta to bypass the non-functioning lungs.
On the first day of life there is a functional closure and
an anatomic closure with fibrosis in the first two
weeks.
If it does not close these patients come to attention
either with a murmur or later with pulmonary
hypertension.
On the left a young adult with a murmur.
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The cardiologists are not interested in the flow
direction, but just want to confirm the diagnosis.
Notice the connection between the pulmonary artery
and the descending aorta.
When the duct closes it may also calcify.
This a normal variant.
Pulmonary venous anomalies
Partial Anomalous Venous Return
The most common features of Partial Anomalous
Venous Return are listed in the table on the left.
The anomalous veins drain into the following
structures:
l RUL: SVC association with sinus venosus-type ASD.
l RLL: IVC (usually), sometimes Portal or Hepatic vein.
Can be isolated finding or combined with pulmonary
hypoplasia (Scimitar syndrome).
l LUL: Brachiocephalic vein (isolated finding).
l LLL: rare (if you find a case publish it).
Right upper lobe anomalous venous return
On the left a 2 month old, who is asymptomatic but
has a murmur on physical examination.
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Right upper love anomalous vein drains into the superior
vena cava.
There is a connection between the SVC and a
pulmonary vein, so this is an anomalous venous
return.
Pulmonary hypertension in a patient with partially
anomalous pulmonary venous return.
All these partially anomalous pulmonary venous
returns are left to right shunts, but when small, they
are clinically insignificant.
When there is a significant shunt, they may cause
(late) pulmonary hypertension as seen in the case on
the left.
The chest film in this adult shows large pulmonary
arteries and a large right atrium and ventricle as a
result of pulmonary hypertension.
Right upper lobe anomalous return (2)
On the left a patient with a murmur.
Study the images and then continue.
l There is an anomalous return of the right upper lobe
to the SVC.
l At a slightly inferior level there is also an ASD.
l Contrast is seen going almost immediately into the
left atrium.
l This type of ASD is called the sinus venosus-type
ASD.
On the left a similar case.
Notice the anomalous return of the right upper lobe
vein into the VCS and the additional ASD at a lower
level.
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Right lower lobe anomalous return
On the left a right lower lobe anomalous return.
The vein drains into the IVC.
The anomalous vein gently curves to the right
cardiophrenic angle and is shaped like a Turkish sword
('Scimitar')
Right lower lobe anomalous venous return into the azygos
vein.
On the left another right lower lobe anomalous return.
The vein drains into the azygos vein.
Upper lobe veins may also drain into the azygos vein.
On the left a 10 year old girl suspected of having
pneumonia.
Study the images carefully, because there are three
findings and then continue reading.
The findings are:
l Small right lung due to hypoplasia
l Anomalous venous return
l Right aortic arch
This patient has a scimitar syndrome and also a right
arch.
So the lesson is, that when you see one anomaly, look
for another one.
Scimitar syndrome
The features in scimitar syndrome are listed in the
table on the left.
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Scimitar syndrome with a hypoplastic right lung.
On the left another patient with a scimitar syndrome.
There is a hypoplastic right lung with mediastinal shift
and there is anomalous venous return.
Notice that on the coronal MIP you can nicely see the
difference in vascularization of the lungs with
hypovascularity on the right.
View more images: 1/5
Left upper lobe anomalous venous return into
brachiocephalic vein.
Scroll through the images on the left.
Notice how the left upper lobe vein runs from the
hilum cranially into the brachiocephalic vein.
The differential diagnosis of a left upper lobe
anomalous venous return into brachiocephalic veins is
a left Superior Vena Cava (SVC).
A left SVC however drains into the coronary sinus.
Systemic veins
Left Superior Vena Cava
l Represents persistent left common cardinal vein
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l Passes anterior to left main bronchus and drains into
dilated coronary sinus
l 0.5% of general population and 5% of patients with
congenital heart disease
l Small Right SVC in 90% of cases
View more images: 1/8
Describe the images on the left and then continue
reading.
On the left side there is a vascular structure, that runs
inferiorly below the level of the left hilum and enters
into a dilated coronary sinus.
The diagnosis is left or double superior vena cava.
Left Superior Intercostal Vein
Left Superior Intercostal Vein.
This is an anastomosis between the accessory
hemiazygos vein and the left brachiocephalic vein.
It courses along the lateral margin of the aortic arch
('aortic nipple').
It is a normal variant and if you look for this structure
you will frequently notice it.
Catheters or pacemaker leads may course along left
side of mediastinum.
On the left a patient with a left superior intercostal
vein.
Notice the 'aortic nipple sign'.
Left Superior Intercostal Vein
On the left another example of a left superior
intercostal vein.
It courses along the lateral margin of the aortic arch
from the the accessory hemiazygos vein to the left
brachiocephalic vein.
Summary of left paramediastinal structures
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1. Left VCS:
from subclavian vein to coronary sinus
2. Anomalous LUL pulmonary vein:
from left pulmonary hilum to brachiocephalic
vein.
3. Left superior intercostal vein:
from accessory hemiazygos vein to left
brachiocephalic vein.
Azygos Continuation of IVC
l Abcense of hepatic segment of IVC with azygos
continuation.
l IVC interrupted above level of renal veins.
l Association with congenital heart disease and
polysplenia.
Technique and Protocol
Ideally a 64 slice scanner is used, but even a 4-slice
scanner will suffice for studying vascular anomalies.
The technique for these anomalies in the chest is the
same as we use for pulmonary embolus detection.
Thin collimation is used in combination with a fast
table speed in order to get the highest resolution with
the lowest radiation exposure.
Usually a pitch of 1.5 is used.
In children we preferably do not use thin collimation,
because of the higher radiation exposure, but these
anomalies can be very small (voorbeeld dia 18), so
thin collimation is necessary.
mAs and kVp
In a child with a weight of less than 10Kg 40mAs will
work in the chest.
In children with a weight more than 45 Kg adult
protocols are used with 100 mAs or more.
In small children under 50 kg you can decrease the
kVp to 80 and that works very well in the chest.
Remember in the chest there is inherent contrast from
the lungs and by dropping the kVp you enhance this
contrast.
On the left a 3-year old.
Non-breath hold images with 50mAs and 80 kVp on a
16 row detector. Although the axial images are a little
bit grainy, the reconstructions are just fine.
Do these patients need sedation? Well most of the
time they don't.
If you can get the patient on the table and they are
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relatively still, even if they are breathing, you will get
good studies.
If you can't get the patient on the table, because they
prefer the floor, you've got to sedate.
In about 20-25% of pediatric studies we use sedation.
If the catheter is not in the antecubital vein, hand
injection is preferred.
Scan Initiation Time
Bolus tracking is used and the trigger is set at 120
HU.
This may not always work, because in small children
the amount of contast may be too small to trigger or
due to breathing the cursor may fall to the lungs.
If bolus tracking does not trigger, start the scan at 15
seconds.
Positioning the ROI
l Ascending aorta for aorta and superior vena cava
l Main PA for pulmonary arteries
l Left Atrium for pulmonary veins
Post-processing
Multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), volume rendered
techniques (VRT) and maximum intensity (MIP) are
very helpful.
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References
1. MDCT Evaluation of Thoracic Aortic Anomalies in Pediatric Patients and Young Adults: Comparison of Axial,
Coronal MPR (left), external volume rendering (middle) and
internal volume rendering.
There is no role for shaded surface or mini-IP's.
On the left an external and internal rendering which
provides in contrast to MPR real 3D information.
In volume rendering the posterior view is preferred to
get a good look at the arch and descending aorta.
Thick slab maximal intensity projection to study the
pulmonary vasculature.
If you want to study peripheral vessels you will need
thick slab maximal intensity projections.
For instance if you study arteriovenous malformations
or discrepancy in lung flow.
Thick slab coronal maximal intensity projection image in
patient with scimitar syndrome.
Notice that on the coronal MIP you can nicely see the
difference in vascularization of the lungs with
hypovascularity on the right in a patient with scimitar
syndrome.
High grade coarctation of aorta not seen on axial images but
clearly visualized on sagittal MPR.
3D reconstructions are helpful when there are short
focal lesions like coarctation or when vessels course
obliquely (figure).
Adding 3D reconstructions to axial images will
increase the sensitivity from 90% to 100% (Lee,
Siegel AJR 182:777-784 )
On the left a 17-day old boy with minimal cyanosis,
mild heart failure and upper extremity hypertension.
On axial images you will have trouble diagnosis
coarctation, because it is focal and in the same plane
as the axial image.
If you want to read more about pediatric body CT,
buy:
Pediatric Body CT, 2nd edition. Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. 2008 (3) by
Marilyn Siegel.
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Multiplanar, and 3D Images
by Edward Y. Lee, Marilyn J. Siegel, Charles F. Hildebolt, Fernando R. Gutierrez, Sanjeev Bhalla and Juliet H. Fallah
of the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd., St.
Louis, MO 63110.
AJR 2004; 182:777-784
2. Diagnostic Imaging: Chest
By Jud Gurney, MD et al
AMIRSYS Title, ISBN: 1416023348, ISBN-13: 9781416023340
This book represents today's best single source of guidance on chest diagnostic imaging!
3. Great vessels. In: Pediatric Body CT, 2nd edition
by Marilyn Siegel
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. 2008
4. Angiography and dynamic airway evaluation with MDCT in the diagnosis of double aortic arch associated with
tracheomalacia.
Chan MSM, Chu WCW, Cheung KL, Arifi AA, Lam WWM
AJR 2005; 185:11248-1251
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