Low-Dose Computed Tomographic Imaging of Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection in Children.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to determine lobar distribution, drainage sites, and associated cardiovascular anomalies of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in pediatric patients using low-dose multidetector computed tomographic angiography.

METHODS: Sixty-one cases (27 female, mean age: 4.7 years) with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection diagnosed by multidetector computed tomographic angiography were included in this study. In all patients, multidetector computed tomographic angiography examinations were performed using dual-source 256-slice scanner without sedation.

RESULTS: In 61 patients, 73 anomalous pulmonary veins were detected, 56 (77%) of them were right-sided and 17 (23%) were left-sided. Of 56 right-sided anomalous pulmonary veins in 49 patients, 38 (68%) drained into superior vena cava, eight (14%) into atriocaval junction, six (11%) into inferior vena cava, three (5%) into right atrium, and one (2%) into levoatriocardinal vein. Of 17 left-sided anomalous pulmonary veins in 12 patients, 16 (94%) drained into left innominate vein, and one (6%) into coronary sinus. Only seven (12%) patients had isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, whereas 54 (88%) patients had additional cardiovascular anomalies. The most common (66%) associated anomaly is atrial septal defect. The overall mean effective radiation dose was 1.12 mSv (range: 0.15-7.41 mSv), and it was 0.58 mSv (range: 0.15-0.73) in the patients younger than one-year old.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence and course of the anomalous pulmonary veins and associated cardiovascular anomalies can be reliably detected by dual-source 256-slice multidetector computed tomographic angiography with low radiation doses.