Endocardial irregularities of the left atrial roof as seen on coronary CT angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and characterize morphological characteristics of endocardial irregularities in the roof of the left atrium as seen on coronary CT angiography.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the left atrium in 50 consecutive coronary CT patients with multiplanar reformatting, volume rendering, and virtual endoscopy.


RESULTS
Twenty-one of the 50 patients had an endocardial irregularity at the roof of the left atrium. The most common finding (n = 14) was a smooth diverticulum, arising near the venoatrial junction of the right superior pulmonary vein.


CONCLUSIONS
Endocardial irregularities of the left atrium can be identified on coronary CT and may be more common than previously considered. The findings probably represent remnants of the cardinal venous system during embryological development. Further work should focus on the true prevalence and potential clinical significance.
Poh
Angeline C
AC
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Juraszek
Amy L
AL
Ersoy
Hale
H
Whitmore
Amanda G
AG
Davidson
Michael J
MJ
Mitsouras
Dimitrios
D
Rybicki
Frank John
FJ
D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*