Pulmonary vascularity in pediatric heart disease

In children, analysis of pulmonary vascularity can provide useful information about cardiac and noncardiac abnormalities. The abnormal vascular patterns encountered in children with heart disease include (1) active engorgement, (2) passive congestion, (3) diminished pulmonary blood flow, (4) cephalad redistribution, and (5) unequal blood flow. Familiarity with these various patterns enables the clinician to produce relevant differential diagnoses for each. With additional study of the cardiac chambers, great vessels, and other radiographic findings, a specific diagnosis may often be suggested.