PEDIATRIC GREAT VESSEL ANOMALIES - INITIAL CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE WITH SPIRAL CT ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of spiral computed tomographic (CT) angio graphy for the diagnosis of pediatric great vessel anomalies. MATERIAL S AND METHODS: Techniques used in adult CT angiography were modified t o allow imaging of 15 children aged 1 month to 12 years. Two-dimension al axial images and three-dimensional shaded surface display images of the airway and great vessels were generated from volumetric CT data a nd evaluated prospectively. Findings were correlated with results obta ined at surgery (five patients), autopsy (one patient), bronchoscopy ( one patient), or other imaging studies (eight patients). RESULTS: In 1 4 patients, CT angiography accurately demonstrated vessel anomalies, i ncluding double or right aortic arch (seven cases), aberrant subclavia n artery (six cases), innominate artery compression syndrome (one case ), unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis (one case), and pulmonary arte ry enlargement (three cases). One patient had normal vasculature. CONC LUSION: CT angiography is feasible in children and can be used to deli neate abnormal great vessel anatomy.