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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Imaging the neonatal heart--essentials for the radiologist
Gisela Schweigmann1, Ingmar Gassner, Kathrin Maurer
1Department of Paediatrics, Section of Paediatric Radiology, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. gisela.schweigmann@uklibk.ac.at
Insights
Radiological imaging aids in diagnosing congenital heart disease (CHD). While chest radiography is common, echocardiography is key, with MRI and CT increasingly used, though cardiac catheterization remains vital for complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosis relies heavily on modern radiological imaging.
- Chest radiography remains a primary, accessible diagnostic tool for CHD.
- Echocardiography is the most critical imaging modality for CHD diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review imaging characteristics of congenital heart disease in neonates.
- To illustrate chest radiograph findings in neonates with CHD.
- To provide context on CHD hemodynamics for interpreting imaging.
Main Methods:
- Review of chest radiography in neonates with CHD.
- Discussion of echocardiography, MRI, and CT in CHD diagnosis.
- Comparison with cardiac catheter angiography for complex CHD and interventions.
Main Results:
- Chest radiography reveals characteristic CHD changes in neonates.
- Advanced imaging like MRI and CT are gaining prominence over invasive angiography.
- Cardiac catheter angiography is still essential for complex conditions and interventions.
Conclusions:
- Radiologists should recognize neonatal chest X-ray changes indicative of CHD.
- Awareness of potential CHD prompts further diagnostic work-up.
- Multimodality imaging is crucial for comprehensive CHD assessment.
Abstract:
Modern radiological imaging provides precise diagnosis in congenital heart disease (CHD). The most important and readily available radiological examination is still chest radiography. The diagnostically most important imaging method is echocardiography. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have gained much ground over the more invasive cardiac catheter angiography, which is still needed in more complex conditions and for interventional procedures, which are performed more frequently. This article is focused on imaging of the neonatal heart. Basically, characteristics of the chest radiograph in CHD are illustrated. To establish an understanding of CHD haemodynamics are reviewed. It is not the role of the radiologist to make a detailed anatomic or physiologic diagnosis on the basis of a plain film, but the radiologist should be aware of changes in a neonatal chest X-ray that CHD can cause and should point out that the child might have CHD thus initiating further work-up.
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