Pediatrics & Neonatology
Volume 51, Issue 4 , Pages 227-234, August 2010

Role of Multi-slice and Three-dimensional Computed Tomography in Delineating Extracardiac Vascular Abnormalities in Neonates

  • Yew Giin Long

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, Sin Lau Hospital, Madou, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Yeng-Ying Yang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • I-Lun Huang

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Jun-Yen Pan

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Ming-Ting Wu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Ken-Pen Weng

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Kai-Sheng Hsieh

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, 386 Ta-Chung 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 81346, Taiwan

Received 2 July 2009; received in revised form 22 October 2009; accepted 4 December 2009.

Article Outline

Background

Recent advances in multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) provide good-resolution images and short scan time for complete diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). In the present study, we found that MSCT rapidly provides clinically relevant information for diagnosing extracardiac vascular anatomy in neonates with CHD. It is less invasive, necessitating only minimum or no sedation and a relatively small amount of contrast material. These advantages are crucial, especially for critically ill neonates.

Methods

Between January 2007 and December 2008, MSCT scans were conducted on 41 neonates who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. All the neonates were suspected to have complex CHD after an initial echocardiography examination. The scans were focused on detecting extracardiac vascular anatomy and abnormalities. All the image data sets were sent to image processing workstations for multiplanar interactive viewing and 3D reconstruction.

Results

High-resolution MSCT scan images were obtained from 41 patients. Reported indications and findings of extracardiac abnormalities and related structural anatomy pertaining to congenital heart disease from MSCT and 3D CT findings were confirmed by clinical and surgical findings by a team of multidisciplinary congenital heart disease specialists.

Conclusion

Based on clinical and surgical confirmation of the MSCT scan results from a multidisciplinary congenital heart disease specialist team, we concluded that adequate information on CHD, specifically that regarding extracardiac abnormalities of the anatomy, can be obtained and MSCT can be used to replace cardiac catheterization.

Key Words:  computed tomography , congenital heart disease , neonate

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PII: S1875-9572(10)60043-5

doi:10.1016/S1875-9572(10)60043-5

Pediatrics & Neonatology
Volume 51, Issue 4 , Pages 227-234, August 2010

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