Cardiac connections: The segmental approach to radiologic diagnosis in congenital heart disease

The segmental approach to the diagnosis and classification of congenital heart disease, which emphasizes the importance of the connections (proximal-to-distal relationships) of cardiac chambers and great vessels, is presented. The radiologic identification of great vessels and cardiac chambers and their connections is described, considering, in turn, three major segments: the atria together with the systemic and pulmonary veins, the ventricles with their atrioventricular valves and the great arteries with their outflow tracts.Cardiac and great vascular connections can be described with greatest clarity by using the atria as the starting point. The atrial situs is defined as solitus, inversus or ambiguus, the great veins connecting to the atria normally or anomalously. The ventricles may be connected to the atria in concordant or discordant fashion or a double inlet ventricle may be present. The ventriculo-arterial connections can be classified as normal, transposition, double outlet right ventricle or double outlet left ventricle. The angiocardiographic techniques and criteria that differentiate these connection disorders and identify the transitional cases between them are discussed and illustrated.A complete diagnosis must indicate not only the connections of the three major segments but also the malformations and abnormalities of spatial position that may be present. Certain associations are of value in predicting the positions and connections of the cardiac chambers and great vessels, making it possible to formulate helpful rules to aid the progress of a diagnostic study. The fallibility of such rules is discussed, emphasizing the need to define connection disorders in terms of the connections rather than in terms of malformations or of abnormalities in spatial position of the individual parts.     

Calcified thrombus of the inferior vena cava in transposition of the great vessels

Calcified thrombus of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in children is an entity usually not associated with significant complications. The possibility of pulmonary embolism from the soft thrombus, however, has been suggested but never reported. We give an account of a child with transposition of the great vessels who suffered embolization from a calcified thrombus in the IVC that entered the systemic circulation.     

Congenital heart disease: gated MR imaging in 72 patients

Seventy-two patients (aged 2 months to 75 years; mean 23 years) with a variety of congenital anomalies of the heart and great vessels underwent ECG-gated magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using the multisectional spin-echo technique (0.35 Tesla). The ability to define segmental anatomy and intracardiac anomalies on transverse, sagittal, and coronal images was evaluated. MR images were graded as excellent, diagnostic, or nondiagnostic, and MR findings were corroborated by angiography and/or two-dimensional echocardiography. Studies that were considered to be excellent or diagnostic were obtained in 96% of the cases. Visceroatrial situs, the type of ventricular loop, and the relationship of the great vessels could be identified in all patients with studies encompassing the entire heart. Forty-four of 47 abnormalities at the level of the great vessels were identified with MR, including coarctation of the aorta and vascular rings. MR showed 32 of 35 ventricular abnormalities; 2 small ventricular septal defects and 1 Ebstein anomaly were not demonstrated. All of the abnormalities at the atrial level and those of systemic and pulmonary venous return were seen on MR images. Complex cardiac anomalies, such as single ventricles, and the status of the pulmonary arteries were clearly demonstrated, and a good assessment of total and palliative postoperative anatomy was provided.     

应用MBIR优化100kV儿童胸部CTA血管的显示质量

目的评价基于模型的迭代重建算法(model-based iterative reconstruction,MBIR)对100kV儿童低剂量胸部CT血管的优化效果。方法选取接受胸部低剂量胸部增强CT扫描的儿童患者66例,使用100 kV管电压扫描,所得到的原始数据重建为0.625 mm的MBIR图像(观察组),0.625 mm的50%ASIR图像(对照组),应用4分制评价图像整体的质量、胸部大血管(体动脉、肺动脉、肺静脉)的显示能力,以及细小血管的显示能力。客观噪声测量降主动脉、肺动脉干、左心房、竖脊肌的噪声值,并计算优化信噪比及降主动脉、肺动脉干、左心房的对比噪声比。结果MBIR组对于整体图像质量、胸部大血管及小血管主观图像质量评分(2.93±0.46,3.01±0.55,2.32±0.47)明显优于ASIR组(1.76±0.43,2.27±0.43,1.46±0.50);客观噪声方面MBIR图像降主动脉、肺动脉干、左心房的客观噪声值为14.92±3.83,13.68±2.28,15.74±4.04,较ASIR图像降低了38.47%~44.12%,相应的SNR分别增高了59.71%~81.83%;CNR增高73.53%~76.59%。结论MBIR应用于儿童100 kV的胸部血管可以同时提高肺动脉及体动脉的显示能力,特别是小血管的显示能力,明显优于ASIR图像,保证了图像整体质量。     

Percutaneous embolotherapy in life-threatening hemoptysis

Percutaneous embolization of the bronchial arteries to control massive or recurrent hemoptysis has become an accepted procedure, especially in treating patients with chronic pulmonary disease who are poor candidates for lung resection. Nonbronchial systemic collateral arteries and pulmonary arteries may contribute significantly to pulmonary hemorrhage, but embolization of these vessels has not been stressed in recent literature. When embolization of the bronchial artery fails to control hemoptysis, nonbronchial systemic collateral arteries should be embolized. If no systemic collaterals are present, then embolization of segmental pulmonary arteries may prove helpful.     

Bronchial and nonbronchial systemic arteries in patients with hemoptysis: depiction on MDCT angiography

OBJECTIVE: In this pictorial essay, we show the usefulness of MDCT angiography for visualization of the bronchial and nonbronchial systemic feeder vessels responsible for hemoptysis. CONCLUSION: By providing thin-section transaxial, multiplanar reconstruction, and 3D images, CT angiography using MDCT allows comparable or better images than conventional angiography with respect to the depiction of bronchial or nonbronchial systemic arteries. CT angiography is particularly useful for visualizing the ectopic origin of bronchial arteries and nonbronchial systemic collateral arteries.     

Imaging brain vasculature with BOLD microscopy: MR detection limits determined by in vivo two-photon microscopy.

Rat brain vasculature was imaged at 9.4T with blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) microscopy. Data were acquired without exogenous contrast agent in <35 min using 3D gradient-echo imaging with 78-microm isotropic resolution. Detailed vascular patterns including intracortical veins and some branches were observed in simple magnitude-contrast data acquired at an experimentally optimized echo time. The venous origin of the dark patterns was confirmed by oxygenation-dependent studies, and when the systemic arterial oxygen saturation level was <80% BOLD microscopy revealed additional intracortical vessels presumed to be of arterial origin. Quantification shows a decrease of intracortical venous density with depth. The full width at half-minimum intensity was 90-190 microm for most intracortical venous vessels identifiable by BOLD venography. Since actual diameters are not directly quantifiable by BOLD, we also measured diameter-dependent intracortical venous density in vivo by two-photon excitation fluorescent microscopy. Density comparisons between the two modalities, along with computer simulations, show that venous vessels as small as approximately 16-30 microm diameter are detectable with 9.4T BOLD microscopy under our experimental conditions.     

Phase‐contrast magnetic resonance quantification of normal pulmonary venous return

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of phase‐contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) in quantifying the pulmonary venous return in normal subjects.

Materials and Methods

PCMR was performed in 12 healthy adult volunteers (mean age 38 years, range 27–60 years; 9 men; body surface area 1.81 ± 0.15 m²) for the ascending and descending aorta, caval veins, main and branch pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary veins. Two readers independently quantified blood flow in all subjects.

Results

Intraobserver differences were ?2.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: ?9.9% to 5.9%), ?4.5% (95% CI: ?15.6% to 6.5%), and ?0.7% (95% CI: ?4.5% to 3.0%) for all vessels, pulmonary veins, and other great vessels, respectively. Interobserver differences were ?2.0% (95% CI: ?10.6% to 6.6%), ?3.1% (95% CI: ?16.0% to 9.9%), and ?1.4% (95% CI: ?6.4% to 3.5%) for all vessels, pulmonary veins, and other great vessels, respectively. Pulmonary venous flow volume showed high correlations with the volumes of the pulmonary arterial flow, systemic arterial flow, and systemic venous flow (r = 0.76–0.92, P < 0.005).

Conclusion

Flow quantification of normal pulmonary venous return using PCMR is feasible with high reproducibility and accuracy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:588–594. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

     

多层螺旋CT肝门静脉成像对门脉高压分流侧支血管的研究

肝硬化门脉高压患者,门体之间侧支血管扩张,形成多处门体循环;在这些扩张的侧支血管中,食管胃底静脉曲张常导致上消化道出血,危及患者健康和生命,具有重要临床意义。在实施手术或介入治疗时,术前了解侧支血管的情况尤为重要;近年来,随着多层螺旋CT技术的发展及多种图像后处理技术的开发,多层螺旋CT门静脉成像能全面准确地显示肝硬化患者门体循环之间侧支血管的部位和范围,为肝硬化门脉高压患者治疗方法的选择和术前评估提供了可靠依据。     

体动脉侧支血管参与咯血供血的影像学研究

目的 探讨非支气管性体动脉侧支(NBSC)在支气管咯血病变中的意义,及其对支气管动脉(BA)的影响.方法 回顾分析124例支气管咯血患者的多层螺旋CT(MSCT)血管造影.采用实时螺旋薄层CT增强扫描,在独立工作站行胸部体动脉三维重建,统计NBSC和BA数目,测量其内径及病变区域邻近胸膜厚度.根据NBSC发现情况,资料分别归入NBSC组和无NBSC组作统计学分析.结果 NBSC参与供血36例,BA内径平均值为(1.850±0.631)mm,其中病灶附近胸膜增厚22例(61%),厚度为2.7～16.0 mm,平均(7.71±4.12)mm;无NBSC供血88例,BA内径的平均值为(2.200±0.528)mm,病灶附近胸膜增厚7例(8%),厚度为1.1～2.4 mm,平均(1.7±0.53)mm,两组间BA平均值和伴有胸膜增厚差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜＜0.05).结论 NBSC能分流支气管动脉向咯血病变的供血,成为咯血的主要供血来源.显著的胸膜增厚是产生NBSC供血的重要原因.     

心血管造影在复杂和(或)复合先天性心脏病诊断中的应用

目的 探讨心血管造影在先天性心脏病（简称先心病）复杂和（或）复合畸形中的应用价值。方法 分析360例复杂和（或）复合畸形造影所见及其与超声心动图等临床检查的联系。结果 本组360例（包括75例肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损、62例右室双出口、60例法乐四联症、52例单心室、42例大动脉错位、15例三尖闭锁、6例冠状动脉异常、5例完整型肺静脉畸形连接、5例完全型心内膜垫缺损、4例共同动脉干、3例室间完整的肺动脉闭锁、7例其他病例和24例外科术后检查）心血管造影和超声对比，纠正后者误、漏诊分别为34、30例及对合并畸形误诊16例。对复杂和（或）复合畸形中体肺侧支血管、冠状动脉畸形和肺动脉段分支及其异常的检测和诊断优于超声心动图，并可测量肺动、静脉压力及体肺侧支血管压力而优于其他影像学检查方法。结论 对于先心病复杂和（或）复合畸形的疑难病例诊断和鉴别诊断，尤其显示体、肺及冠状动脉分支的全貌及相关病变，以及测量肺动脉和心室压力等，心血管造影（含DSA）仍有重要或不可替代的作用。     

大动脉错位心血管数字造影和超声诊断的对比研究

目的评价心血管数字造影和心脏超声在大动脉错位诊断中的作用.方法30例大动脉错位患者全部进行心血管数字造影和心脏二维超声心动图以及彩色多普勒血流图检查,其中11例39个畸形有手术结果对照.结果心血管数字造影与手术结果符合率为92.3%(36/39);心脏超声与手术结果符合率为84.6%(33/39).这两种技术均能清楚显示心脏、心脏与大血管连接部畸形;心脏超声对瓣膜病变敏感性高,心血管数字造影对大血管病变以及体肺侧枝循环的判断具有优势.结论心血管数字造影与心脏超声有机结合,能提高大动脉错位诊断的准确率.     

Role of MDCT in identification of the bleeding site and the vessels causing hemoptysis

OBJECTIVE: MDCT has improved the management of hemoptysis by providing more precise depiction of bronchial and nonbronchial systemic arteries than conventional CT. The purpose of this article is to review the role of MDCT in the identification of the bleeding site and the vessels causing hemoptysis. CONCLUSION: Identification of the origin of the involved systemic arteries (bronchial and nonbronchial) or involved pulmonary artery on MDCT enables the interventional radiologist to treat them, especially in elderly patients with a tortuous aorta and atheroma.     

Magnetic resonance in the evaluation of mediastinal masses

Thirty-three patients with mediastinal masses were examined by means of MRI to obtain elements for lesion characterization, to evaluate lesion extent, and to assess the relationship of the mass to the surrounding structures, especially the great vessels (accuracy: 84.84%), mediastinal structures (accuracy: 76.78%), and lung parenchyma (accuracy 69.69%). MR data were compared to CT findings; sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were subsequently compared to surgical and histologic findings. The results have shown MRI to be a very reliable method in the evaluation of mediastinal masses.     

复杂先天性心脏病MRI与心血管造影对照分析

笔者对１３例复杂先天性心脏病采用永磁型低磁场机器进行心电门控ＭＲＩ检查并与心血管造影（ＣＡＧ）对照分析。结果８例诊断完全符合，５例有差异。在观察心房内脏位置关系、大血管位置关系方面ＭＲＩ比较准确；在确定心室位置、房室连接及心室大血管连接关系等方面，本组病例提示ＭＲＩ与ＣＡＧ效果相似。但ＭＲＩ存在层厚较厚，定位较难掌握以及难以观察瓣膜结构与功能，易受运动伪影影响等不足。认为低磁场的ＭＲＩ可用于复杂先天性心脏病的检查。     

Sonographic demonstration of buckling of the great vessels of the neck

Clinical, sonographic, and radiographic features in 11 patients with pulsatile neck masses due to buckling of the great vessels were reviewed. The pulsatile neck masses corresponded to buckling of the innominate and right subclavian arteries in five patients and buckling of the right common carotid arteries in six. Real-time sonography provides a noninvasive and accurate method to diagnose buckling of the great vessels of the neck as the cause of pulsatile neck masses and obviates angiography for diagnosis.     

三种心血管造影组合对肺动脉闭锁肺动脉发育情况的评价分析

目的评价分析三种心血管造影组合显示肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损的肺动脉发育情况。资料与方法回顾性分析22例肺动脉闭锁合并室间隔缺损患者的临床资料,包括X线平片、心电图、超声心动图和心血管造影。重点分析三种造影组合对显示肺动脉发育情况的优缺点。结果（1）右心室造影＋楔入肺静脉造影共3例,均显示左右肺动脉融合,一侧肺动脉发育细小。（2）右心室造影＋弓降部主动脉和／或升主动脉造影共15例,其中11例主要由未闭动脉导管供血,均见左右肺动脉融合,融合部狭窄3例,一侧或双侧肺动脉发育不良或变细8例,2例可见主肺动脉及盲端;另4例左右不融合。（3）右心室造影＋弓降部主动脉或升主动脉造影＋体肺侧支血管造影共4例,其中1例由细小动脉导管供血,左右肺动脉融合并发育较好;3例均由小体肺侧支和网状细小血管供血,肺动脉发育细小。结论三种心血管造影组合均能有效显示肺动脉发育情况,主动脉造影能全面了解体肺侧支血管分布,选择性侧支血管造影是术前栓塞所必要的;楔入肺静脉造影可极好地显示纵隔内肺动脉的情况。     

Unilateral pulmonary artery agenesis presenting with hemoptysis: Treatment by embolization of systemic collaterals

Systemic-to-pulmonary collateral vessels and shunts develop in patients with isolated unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery (IUAPA). Two cases of IUAPA (right and left) with hemoptysis in adult life are presented. Selective embolization of these systemic vessels controlled hemoptysis successfully. These cases represent an example of an alternative treatment for this rare anomaly.     

3D-VIBE序列对血管压迫性三叉神经痛和面肌痉挛诊断价值

目的探讨3.0 T磁共振3D扰相梯度回波(3D-VIBE)序列对于三叉神经痛和面肌痉挛责任血管的诊断价值。方法利用3D-VIBE的原始图像重建,从不同的角度观察神经与血管的走行关系,发现责任血管,并与临床微血管减压术(MVD)进行比对。结果进行3D-VIBE序列扫描后发现责任血管,与术中所见基本符合。血管呈高信号,神经呈等信号,对比良好,能够直观显示血管与神经的解剖结构。三叉神经痛的症状侧的血管压迫阳性符合率为90.6%(29/32),面肌痉挛的症状侧的血管压迫阳性符合率为89.4%(17/19)。结论 3D-VIBE序列对于发现血管压迫性三叉神经痛和面肌痉挛责任血管,明确血管与神经的关系有诊断价值。     

Phase-contrast echo-planar MR imaging: Real-time quantification of plow and velocity patterns in the thoracic vessels induced by valsalva's maneuver

Although the clinical manifestations of Valsalva's maneuver are well known, the associated hemodynamic changes in the great vessels have not been extensively studied and documented. In each of six healthy subjects, we evaluated three “quasi-steady-state” phases of Valsalva's maneuver: (1) during normal respiration, (2) during late strain, and (3) 4 seconds after strain release. Continuous flow, velocity, and cross-sectional area measurements were obtained in the superior vena cava, pulmonary trunk, and thoracic aorta with single-shot echo-planar MR imaging (EPI) with velocity-encoded gradients, which provided 256 Images in 5 seconds, yielding 26 velocity-encoded images per second. In the superior vena cava, Valsalva's maneuver induced an 11% decrease in average flow volume, a 102% increase in peak flow velocity, a 156% increase in the time velocity integral, and a 37% decrease in cross-sectional area. MR velocity measurements agreed with echo-cardiographic data and supplied additional information on flow and morphology. EPI showed a reduction in venous return during Valsalva's maneuver by simultaneously assessing flow, velocity, and vessel morphology; this technique appears to be useful in the analysis of flow dynamics of the great vessels.