RESUMO
Objective To review the imaging characteristics and evaluate the diagnostic value of echocardiography for congenital malformations of the right atrium(CMRA).Methods Doppler echocardiography was performed and these images were compared with operative findings in 1 1 children with CMRA.Results CMRA was characterized by idiopathic dilation of the right atrium and right heart appendage,congenital diverticulum of the right atrium and coronary sinus.CMRA consisted of idiopathic dilation of the right atrium(4 cases),congenital diverticulum of the right atrium(3 cases),idiopathic dilation of the right heart appendage(2 cases),and congenital diverticulum of the coronary sinus(2 cases).The associated malformations included patent foramen ovale(6 cases),atrial septal defect(3 cases),pulmonary hypertension(3 cases),and hypoplastic tricuspid valve(2 cases).Eight of 1 1 cases were diagnosed correctly,and other 3 cases were misdiagnosed,in which 1 case with idiopathic dilation of the right atrium misdiagnosed as Ebstein's anomaly,1 case with congenital diverticulum of the right atrium misdiagnosed as congenital enlargement of the right atrial appendage,and 1 case with congenital diverticulum of the coronary sinus misdiagnosed as coronary sinus stenosis.Conclusions CMRA could be diagnosed accurately by Doppler echocardiography,but it is prone to be misdiagnosed and must be distinguished from Ebstein's anomaly.