title: Dual source computed tomography in patients with congenital heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to review our early experience with the dual source computed tomography (DSCT), a recently available scanner technique equipped with two X-ray tubes and two detectors, in the context of congenital cardiac malformations.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 40 pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) who underwent DSCT between September 2009 and December 2011 as diagnostic imaging tool for surgical procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 0.36 years (range: 3 days to 44 years). Great vessels (n = 13), cardiac anatomy (n = 13), trachea and vascular rings (n = 7), pulmonary veins (n = 4), and coronary arteries (n = 3) were focused on, which revealed important information for surgery. Scanning quality was affected in only two cases (metal artifacts and tachycardia). Overall median age-specific dose was 1.47 mSv. In patients younger than 1 year (n = 26), median dose was 1.28 mSv.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DSCT allows a very rapid scan speed, examinations are performed in spontaneously breathing patients, and the radiation exposure is relatively low. It is very valuable in the setting of complex surgery by revealing the position of anatomical structures in their relation to each other. Missing information can be acquired less invasively in addition to echocardiography and might replace cardiac catheterization for several morphological indications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ihlenburg
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rompel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rueffer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ariawan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Purbojo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cesnjevar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dittrich
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gloeckler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult