title: Three-dimensional visualization of the coronary venous system using multidetector row computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was undertaken to investigate the applicability and image quality of contrast-enhanced visualization of the coronary venous system (CVS) by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 70 patients underwent MDCT and for each patient, 6 data sets were created throughout the cardiac cycle. The number and location of coronary veins were evaluated in 3-dimensional images using the 6 data sets. The quality of all images reconstructed from the 6 data sets was too poor to evaluate the CVS in 6 patients (9%). In the remaining 64 patients (91%), the diameter of the CVS was usually greater in the images reconstructed from data acquired during systole than in those reconstructed from data acquired during diastole. However, artifacts were observed more often in images from systole than from diastole. The coronary sinus and middle cardiac vein were visible in all 64 patients. The left marginal and posterior veins also were identified in 54 (84%) and 60 patients (94%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MDCT can be used as a non-invasive modality for evaluating the CVS anatomy in most patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Cardiology, Gunma Prefectural Cardiovascular Center, Maebashi, Japan. tada.h@cvc.pref.gunma.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurosaki
authors.forename: Shigeto
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itoi
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Marehiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Goro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shinbo
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoshizaki
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nogami
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards