Extra cardiac findings in CT angiography in children with congenital heart diseases

Abstract

Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital anomaly and the leading cause of neonatal death. Congenital heart diseases are commonly associated with extracardiac anomalies. Vascular anomalies were the most common associated anomalies observed in our study. The embryological basis for the coincidence of great vessels anomalies with the congenital heart diseases is likely attributed to genetic/ chromosomal defects and environmental factors resulting in both anomalies. Along with genetic basis, aberrations in dynamics of blood flow could represent possible causes of this association. So vascular anomalies develop as a consequence to congenital heart diseases and vice versa. CT is the modality of choice for accurate detection of the extracardiac arterial and venous vascular anomalies simultaneously with high specificity and sensitivity. Radiologists interpreting CT angiography studies of pediatric patients with CHD should be aware of the extracardiac vascular malformations that may associate congenital heart diseases and should follow a systematic approach in reading and reporting these studies. Precise preoperative diagnosis of these associated vascular anomalies via CT angiography is of major importance for the proper choice and planning of the surgical procedures and prevention of major complications.