Identification of a coronary-to-bronchial-artery communication with MDCT shows the diagnostic potential of this new technology: case report and review.
Development and refinement of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has brought the potential to replace conventional coronary angiography with a noninvasive technique that has comparable spatial and temporal resolution with a single breath-hold. Although clinical use of MDCT has largely been confined to evaluation of atherosclerotic coronary artery burden and coronary artery anomalies, it can be applied to diagnosis of other problems concerning the thoracic vasculature. We present the case of a middle-aged man who presented with recent-onset exertional angina: 64-detector CT was used as an alternative to cardiac catheterization and identified the underlying anatomic anomaly, a rare coronary-to-bronchial-artery communication. Clinicians should be aware that the newest generation of MDCT equipment may allow many patients to forego diagnostic cardiac catheterization without compromise in quality of care.
Lee
Chi-Ming
CM
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Leung
Ting-Kai
TK
Wang
Hung-Jung
HJ
Lee
Wei Hsing
WH
Shen
Li-Kuo
LK
Chen
Ya-Yen
YY
D001159:Arterio-Arterial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001981:Bronchial Arteries; D003330:Coronary Vessel Anomalies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*