MR imaging and CT evaluation of congenital pulmonary vein abnormalities in neonates and infants

Himesh V. Vyas, S. Bruce Greenberg, Rajesh Krishnamurthy
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
United States

RadioGraphics
Radiographics 2012; 32: 87-98
DOI: 10.1148/rg.321105764

Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT) are increasingly being used in diagnosis and follow-up of congenital pulmonary vein anomalies in neonates and infants. Such anomalies include total or partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, sinus venosus defect, malposition of the septum primum, cor triatriatum, pulmonary vein atresia or stenosis, and abnormal number or course of the pulmonary veins. MR imaging provides a wealth of anatomic and functional data that are valuable in case management and planning intervention. Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography is the mainstay of anatomic evaluation. Ventricular volumetry with two-dimensional steady-state free-precession sequences and flow analysis with cine phase-contrast imaging provide physiologic information that may be used to calculate the degree of right heart enlargement and the shunt fraction, allowing the cardiologist to determine the functional importance of the lesion. CT provides superior spatial resolution and short imaging times but at the expense of exposure to ionizing radiation.

Category
Segmental Pulmonary Venous Disease. Without a Focus on Pulmonary Hypertension
Diagnostic Testing for Pulmonary Vascular Disease. Non-invasive Testing
Review Articles Concerning Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Fresh or Filed Publication: Filed (PHiled). Greater than 1-2 years since publication

Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: No

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