Multidetector computed tomography of congenital aortic abnormalities

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular imaging
• Radiology
• Congenital heart disease

Background:

• Invasive angiography was historically the gold standard for assessing large arterial abnormalities.
• Non-invasive techniques like echocardiography, MRI, and MDCT are increasingly used for congenital cardiovascular disorders.
• MDCT offers high spatial resolution, broad coverage, and rapid scanning, making it ideal for aortic assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of aortic abnormalities detectable by MDCT.
• To cover congenital abnormalities in both pediatric and adult populations.
• To provide a pictorial overview of conditions affecting the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta.

Main Methods:

• Pictorial review of multidetector CT (MDCT) imaging.
• Focus on congenital abnormalities of the aorta.
• Separate descriptions for abnormalities in the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta.

Main Results:

• MDCT is highly effective for diagnosing and pre-surgically evaluating aortic abnormalities.
• The modality allows for reliable detection of a wide range of congenital aortic conditions.
• Specific findings in different segments of the aorta are systematically presented.

Conclusions:

• MDCT is a fundamental, widely used tool for detecting congenital aortic abnormalities.
• This review highlights the utility of MDCT in evaluating the aorta across all age groups.
• MDCT facilitates accurate diagnosis and pre-surgical planning for congenital cardiovascular disorders involving the aorta.