Latissimus dorsi cardiomyoplasty: radiographic findings

Left latissimus dorsi muscle cardiomyoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the muscle is mobilized as a pedicled flap, moved into the left pleural and mediastinal cavities, and used for surgical repair and/or mechanical augmentation of a failing left ventricle. Chest radiographs in four patients who had undergone this procedure were evaluated. In all four patients, there was bandlike or diffuse increase in density in the left midhemithorax with loss of the left heart border. These findings, which could be misinterpreted as lung disease, represent the transposed muscle flap. CT showed the exact anatomic position of the flap in relation to the intrathoracic structures. Familiarity with the postoperative radiographic appearance of this type of myoplasty is important to avoid misinterpretation.