How can multidetectorCT helps in bettercharacterizationoftheaortic arch andcarotidanomalies

Abstract

Congenitalanomaliesofthethoracicvascularsystem and carotidsystemareanimportantcauseofmorbidityandmortality ininfantsandchildren.Anomaliesinthedevelopmentalprocess of the aortic archanditsmain branches haveclinicalimportance, astheanomaliesmay beassociatedwithothercongenital cardiovascular diseasesor vascularringsaroundthe tracheaand esophagusthatmay ormay notbesymptomaticdependingonthe locationanddegree of compression.

Multiple imagingmodalities, suchaschestradiography, barium oesophagography,echocardiography,CT,MRIand conventionalangiography,are usedtodiagnose the anomaliesand planpossible treatment.

CTangiography isapreferablemodalityofdiagnosisfor arterialdisease,itissafer,lesstimeconsumingandalsomore cost-effective. In addition to displaying vascular anatomy, thoracicCT angiogramsprovideinformationaboutbothairway and lung parenchyma,which isimportant inpatients whohave thoracic vascular anomalies.

OldCT machineswereslowerwithpoor spatialand temporal resolution, thisleadtolongertime ofexamination, motion artifactandrequiringsedationinsomesituationsin neonatesandinfantswith higher dose of radiation.

With the advent of new multidetector computed tomography (CT)technology withhigherspatialresolution (smaller detectors), and higher temporalresolution(faster 360° rotationtimes),evaluationofthe aorta anditsbranchesispossible withfaster imaging times, fewermotionartifacts, andalso less contrastmaterialvolume.