title: MR and CT imaging of pulmonary valved conduits in children and adolescents: normal appearance and complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Contegra® is a conduit made from the bovine jugular vein and then interposed between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. It is used for cardiac malformations in the reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe both normal and pathological appearances of the Contegra® in radiological imaging, to describe imaging of complications and to define the role of CT and MRI in postoperative follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three examinations of 24 patients (17 boys and 7 girls; mean age: 10.8 years old) with Contegra® conduits were reviewed. Anatomical description and measurements of the conduits were performed. Pathological items examined included stenosis, dilatation, plicature or twist, thrombus or vegetations, calcifications and valvular regurgitation. Findings were correlated to the echographic gradient through the conduit when available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CT and MR work-up showed Contegra® stenosis (n = 12), dilatation (n = 9) and plicature or twist (n = 7). CT displayed thrombus or vegetations in the Contegra® in three clinically infected patients. Calcifications of the conduit were present at CT in 12 patients and valvular regurgitation in three patients. The comparison between CT and/or MR results showed a good correlation between the echographic gradient and the presence of stenosis in the Contegra®.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT and MR bring additional information about permeability and postoperative anatomy especially when echocardiography is inconclusive. Both techniques depict the normal appearance of the conduit, and allow comparison and precise evaluation of changes in the postoperative follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Lausanne University Hospital, rue du Bugnon 46, 1012, Lausanne, Switzerland, estelle.tenisch@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Estelle V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Tenisch
authors.forename: Leonor T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Alamo
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sekarski
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hurni
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gudinchet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000628:therapy*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000637:transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000637:transplantation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000637:transplantation; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology