Persistent truncus arteriosus on dual source CT

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

• Persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly with diverse clinical presentations.
• Accurate preoperative anatomical assessment is crucial for determining the optimal surgical strategy and timing for PTA repair.
• Associated anomalies significantly impact surgical outcomes and patient mortality in PTA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the imaging spectrum of persistent truncus arteriosus and associated anomalies using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT).
• To highlight the value of DSCT with 3D post-processing in delineating complex cardiac morphology and identifying extracardiac findings.
• To emphasize the utility of DSCT in evaluating aortic arch variations and airway status for surgical planning.

Main Methods:

• Pictorial review of DSCT imaging in patients with persistent truncus arteriosus.
• Utilized three-dimensional (3D) post-processing techniques for detailed anatomical visualization.
• Focused on characterizing the morphology of the truncus, great arteries, and associated anomalies.

Main Results:

• DSCT provides comprehensive visualization of the persistent truncus arteriosus anatomy.
• DSCT effectively identifies and characterizes associated cardiac and extracardiac anomalies.
• Detailed depiction of aortic arch morphology and airway anatomy is achievable with DSCT, aiding surgical planning.

Conclusions:

• Dual-source computed tomography is a highly valuable imaging modality for the preoperative evaluation of persistent truncus arteriosus.
• DSCT facilitates precise anatomical delineation and identification of associated anomalies, crucial for surgical decision-making.
• Comprehensive assessment of cardiac morphology, aortic arch, and airway using DSCT improves treatment planning for PTA.