[Three-dimensional multislice CT scanner: value in patients with pulmonary atresia with septal defect]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of multislice CT scanning using three-dimensional reconstructions for pre- or postoperative management of patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. Twenty-one consecutive patients (median age: 8 months, median weight: 5.6 kg) with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect were explored by multislice CT. Standard protocol consisted in one helical thoracic acquisition, associated with an injection of 2 to 3 mL/kg of iodinated contrast medium at a flow rate from 0.5 to 1 mL/s. Three-dimensionnal reconstructions were systematically performed. Before operation, status and size of central pulmonary arteries, major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries, and associated anomalies were analyzed. In 13 operated patients, the permeability of palliative anastomosis and postoperative anatomical changes were studied. The status of central pulmonary arteries was assessed in all cases and the sizes found were in agreement to surgical findings. Main aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries were depicted and their relative position to central airways was assessed. Various associated anomalies were found: right aortic arch, anomalous coronary artery, abnormal pulmonary venous return, left superior vena cava. The anastomosis and the surgical connections (unifocalization, complete repair) were clearly analyzed. The multislice CT with three-dimensional reconstructions is a complementary imaging technique, reliable, useful to pre-operative management and postoperative follow-up of patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect.