title: Endocardial irregularities of the left atrial roof as seen on coronary CT angiography.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Angeline C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Juraszek
authors.forename: Hale
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ersoy
authors.forename: Amanda G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Whitmore
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitsouras
authors.forename: Frank John
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rybicki
mesh_terms: 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*