Radiological patterns of truncus arteriosus in plain roentgenography

15 cases of persistent truncus arteriosus in infants and children were subjected to roentgenographic examination by the authors via plain frontal and profile roentgenography of the thorax. In infants (12 patients) the left midzone section is concave or straight, especially in the lower part. This aspect is typical of this congenital anomaly if it is associated with active pulmonary hypervascularisation. Cases without pulmonary hypervascularisation are very difficult to diagnose safely. In 7 profile roentgenographs 3 retrosternal enlarged areas were seen soon after birth. In children of 2 to 6 years of age, cardiac dilatation with a right-side aortic arch and pulmonary hypervascularisation are very typical. In children over 6 years of age we observed an Eisenmenger's syndrome with a retrosternal enlarged area. According to the authors' experience, a combination of a right-side aortic arch associated with pulmonary hypervascularisation must be considered highly typical.