Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (L-TGA) with situs inversus totalis in adulthood: findings with magnetic resonance imaging

Diagnosis of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (L- TGA) with situs inversus totalis in two adult patients was made by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Visualization of the complete anatomy and quantif ication of ventricular function was possible. Relevant concomitant disease such as perimembraneous ventricular septal defect, atrial secundum septal d efect, tricuspid regurgitation, valvular pulmonic stenosis, and pulmonary a rtery dilatation were clearly depicted by MRI using standard spin-echo and gradient-echo techniques. Findings were confirmed by cardiac catheterizatio n in both patients. In this rare and complex congenital cardiac anomaly, MR I is an excellent imaging modality as echocardiography may be difficult to interpret due to restricted imaging windows. MRI may help in the decision a bout the necessity to undergo further invasive evaluation and may help to m ake cardiac catheterization a straightforward procedure. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.