title: Role of multi-slice and three-dimensional computed tomography in delineating extracardiac vascular abnormalities in neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent advances in multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) provide good-resolution images and short scan time for complete diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). In the present study, we found that MSCT rapidly provides clinically relevant information for diagnosing extracardiac vascular anatomy in neonates with CHD. It is less invasive, necessitating only minimum or no sedation and a relatively small amount of contrast material. These advantages are crucial, especially for critically ill neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2007 and December 2008, MSCT scans were conducted on 41 neonates who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. All the neonates were suspected to have complex CHD after an initial echocardiography examination. The scans were focused on detecting extracardiac vascular anatomy and abnormalities. All the image data sets were sent to image processing workstations for multiplanar interactive viewing and 3D reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-resolution MSCT scan images were obtained from 41 patients. Reported indications and findings of extracardiac abnormalities and related structural anatomy pertaining to congenital heart disease from MSCT and 3D CT findings were confirmed by clinical and surgical findings by a team of multidisciplinary congenital heart disease specialists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on clinical and surgical confirmation of the MSCT scan results from a multidisciplinary congenital heart disease specialist team, we concluded that adequate information on CHD, specifically that regarding extracardiac abnormalities of the anatomy, can be obtained and MSCT can be used to replace cardiac catheterization.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Sin Lau Hospital, Madou, Taiwan.
authors: Yew Giin
authors: YG
authors: Long
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Yeng-Ying
authors: YY
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: I-Lun
authors: IL
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Jun-Yen
authors: JY
authors: Pan
authors: Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Ting
authors: MT
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Ken-Pen
authors: KP
authors: Weng
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: kshsieh@isca.vghks.gov.tw.
authors: Kai-Sheng
authors: KS
authors: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy