[Indication and efficiency of computer tomography in heart and thorax surgery]

Computed tomography has widened the diagnostic and indicatory potential in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. The method allows discovery and localization of discrete pathological findings thus far evading routine diagnostics. Under certain conditions tissue may be characterized and a tumor staging performed. Computed tomography cannot replace preoperative angiography but is useful for noninvasive postoperative screening. The value of the procedure in diseases of the lung and pleura, the mediastinum, and the cardiovascular system is demonstrated.