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Ventricular diverticula on cardiac CT: more common than previously thought
Monvadi B Srichai1, Elizabeth M Hecht, Danny C Kim
1Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Ave., HCC-C48, New York, NY 10016, USA. srichai@alum.mit.edu
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|June 21, 2007
Summary
Incidental cardiac ventricular diverticula are common findings in patients undergoing cardiac MDCT angiography. These diverticula, often found in the left ventricle, can occur in any heart chamber.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Radiology
- Cardiac Anatomy
Background:
- Cardiac diverticula are uncommon congenital or acquired abnormalities of the ventricular wall.
- Previous literature suggests cardiac diverticula are rare, with most occurring in the left ventricle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the findings of cardiac ventricular diverticula incidentally discovered during contrast-enhanced gated cardiac CT.
- To assess the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac diverticula in a patient cohort undergoing MDCT angiography.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 15 patients with incidentally detected cardiac ventricular diverticula.
- Analysis of contrast-enhanced gated cardiac CT scans, including MDCT angiography.
Main Results:
- A total of 23 cardiac ventricular diverticula were identified across 15 patients.
- The majority of diverticula were located in the left ventricle, but occurrences in other chambers were noted.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac ventricular diverticula, while often reported as rare, appear to be a relatively common incidental finding on cardiac MDCT angiography.
- Diverticula can manifest in any cardiac chamber, with a predilection for the left ventricle.
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