[Preoperative morphological assessments of congenital heart disease by multidetector computed tomography]

Preoperative morphological assessments and anatomical delineation are keys to treatment of adult patients with congenital heart disease. We report on 2 cases where morphological assessments by multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) were useful. Case 1. A 33-year-old male was diagnosed with atrial septal defect (ASD) complicated by mitral regurgitation (MR), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and severe pulmonary hypertension. In establishing the diagnosis, we carefully examined and confirmed that there was no possibility of ostium primum defect or other complicating malformations. MDCT was useful for demonstrating the location and morphology of the defect, anatomical relation to the tricuspid ring and the presence or absence of complicating malformations. Case 2. A 61-year-old female was diagnosed with double-chambered right ventricle with an intraventricular pressure gradient of 80 mmHg. MDCT extensively and clearly delineated the position and shape of abnormal muscle bundles and the morphology of complicating ventricular septal defect (VSD). MDCT was also useful in the determination of specific surgical procedures and the quick understanding of the anatomy during surgery, and even in postoperative assessments of therapeutic effects.