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Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt patency for pulmonary atresia: assessment with electron beam CT
Munemasa Okada1, Naofumi Matsunaga, Katsuyoshi Ito
1Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan. radokada@po.cc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
Purpose:
The purpose of this work was to evaluate electron beam CT (EBCT) for the noninvasive assessment of modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt patency in patients with pulmonary atresia.
Method:
Five infants and children with pulmonary atresia and modified BT shunts underwent contrast-enhanced EBCT. Modified BT shunts from the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery were performed to improve the pulmonary blood flow. Electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered EBCT was obtained with a 100 ms exposure, 3 mm section thickness, and 2 mm table feed after intravenous administration of contrast material. Three-dimensional (3D) or maximum intensity projection (MIP) EBCT images were compared with conventional angiography. The visibility of modified BT shunts was graded and recorded with use of a four-point scale.
Results:
Satisfactory visualization was achieved in both 3D and MIP EBCT images to evaluate modified BT shunt patency.
Conclusion:
Contrast-enhanced 3D or MIP EBCT imaging with ECG trigger may be used as an effective substitute to evaluate modified BT shunts with low radiation dose exposure.