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In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
[Applications of multi-slice computed tomography imaging in children with congenital heart diseases]
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Nephrology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan.
Insights
Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) provides clear 3D images of complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) in children. This non-ECG-gated MSCT aids in precise surgical planning and the development of new procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- 3D diagnostic imaging like MRI and MSCT offer advanced visualization of the heart and great vessels.
- Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) is increasingly replacing cardiac angiography for diagnosing complex congenital heart diseases (CHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the applications of MSCT in diagnosing and planning surgical interventions for pediatric patients with CHD.
- To highlight the benefits of non-ECG-gated MSCT for minimizing radiation exposure in children.
Main Methods:
- Non-ECG-gated MSCT examinations were performed on children with CHD.
- 3D images were reconstructed with color-coding to differentiate arteries and veins.
- Laser stereolithography was explored for creating plastic replicas of complex CHD anatomy.
Main Results:
- Non-ECG-gated MSCT clearly visualized complex vascular structures in conditions such as hypoplastic left heart, total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, pulmonary atresia, and VSD with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries.
- The detailed 3D imaging provided valuable information for surgical planning.
- Plastic replicas are being developed for surgical simulation and procedure development.
Conclusions:
- Non-ECG-gated MSCT is a valuable tool for precise diagnosis of complex CHDs in children.
- This imaging modality significantly aids in surgical planning and the innovation of surgical techniques.
- MSCT offers a promising approach for improving outcomes in pediatric CHD management.
Abstract:
Recently-devised 3-dimensional (3D) diagnostic modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging and multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) allow visualization of the heart and great vessels from any angle of view and perspective. Among them, the MSCT examination provides highly contrasted 3D images of complicated congenital heart diseases (CHD) and is now widely used instead of cardiac angiography. Here we introduce several applications of the MSCT examination in children with CHD. The MSCT examinations were performed without electorocardiogram (ECG)-gating in order to minimize radiation exposure. The 3D images of CHDs were exhibited with color-coded reconstruction to visualize clearer images of arteries and veins. The tortuous arteries and veins in the hypoplastic left heart, total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect associated with major aortopulmonary collateral arteries are clearly visualized with non-ECG-gated MSCT, which were very informative for cardiac surgery. We are now trying to make plastic replicas of complicated CHDs by the use of laser stereolithography technique. These replicas can be used for simulations of each surgical operation and for development of novel surgical procedures. The MSCT is a promising tool for the precise diagnosis and planning of surgical operation in complicated CHDs.
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