Atrial septal defect CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]

Overview

Computed tomography can be helpful as a diagnostic tool in conditions where the echocardiographic findings are inconclusive. It is not the technique of choice as it has limitations in defining shunt volume and pressure differences.

CT

Advantages

Provides additional anatomic details compared to echocardiography.
Helps in visualization of the aberrant pulmonary venous return (seen in sinus venosus defect). ^[1]
Done faster compared to MRI.
Avoids the need for general anesthesia in children.
Can identify associated heart anomalies.^[1]

Disadvantages

Costly
Radiation can have long terms side-effect on growing children.
Not a modality for detecting or quantify a defect.^[1]
Not a modality for quantifying shunt volume and pressure differences.^[1]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Prokop, M., Galanski, M., Van Der Molen, A.J., Schaefer-Prokop, C. (2001). Spiral and multislice computed tomography of the body. pp. 788–789. Unknown parameter |city= ignored (help)

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[Prokop-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Prokop, M., Galanski, M., Van Der Molen, A.J., Schaefer-Prokop, C. (2001). Spiral and multislice computed tomography of the body. pp. 788–789. Unknown parameter |city= ignored (help)

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