MR Imaging of Congenital Heart Disease

MRI is useful for demonstrating the anatomy of various congenital cardiac lesions and plays an important role in the diagnosis of congenital cardiac lesions. Its large field of view and unlimited imaging planes enable the depiction of complex lesions, the complicated three-dimensional relations of the cardiac chambers and anomalies of the central pulmonary arteries, the systemic and pulmonary veins, and aorta. We describe the normal MR anatomy and MR imaging findings of a variety of congenital pathologies of the heart, in order to provide a better understanding and facilitate the interpretation of the MR features of various congenital heart diseases.

The Role of MR Imaging in Determination of Atrial Situs in Congenital Heart Disease with Situs Ambiguus

PURPOSE: to assess the role of MR imaging in determining of the atrial situs in complicated congenital heart disease with situs ambiguus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to classify the situs, the morphology of atrial appendages, on bronchial length ratio, the superior-inferior relation of the pulmonary artery (PA) and main bronchi on each side, and splenic abnormality were evaluated by MR imaging in 22 patients (12 boys and 10 girls), and the results were compared. RESULTS: In all patients, the superior-inferior relation of the PA and main bronchi tended to lateralize, and in one, bronchial length ratio was not consistent with the relation between the PA and bronchus. Bronchial and atrial situs, as determined by appendage morphology, were consistent in ten of 13 right isomerism patients, and in only three of nine of these with left isomerism. All 13 right isomerism patients, classified by the relation of the PA and main bronchi, showed asplenia, whereas eight of nine of these with left isomerism had polysplenia. CONCLUSION: In the assessment of atrial situs by MR imaging, the positional relation of a bronchus and the PA, bronchial length ratio, and splenic abnormality are constant and reliable. The accuracy of classification of situs on the basis of atrial appendage morphology is, however, limited.

Computer-Assited Instruction : MR Imaging of Congenital Heart Disease

PURPOSE: To develop a software program for computer-assisted instruction on MR imaging of congenital heart disease for medical students and residents to achieve repetitive and effective self-learning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a film scanner(Scan Maker 35t) and IBM-PC(486 DX-2, 60 MHz) for acquisition and storage of image data. The accessories attached to the main processor were CD-ROM drive(Sony), sound card(Sound blaster-Pro), and speaker. We used software of Adobe Photoshop(v 3.0) and Paint Shop-Pro(v 3.0) for preprocessing image data, and Paint brush from Microsoft Windows 3.1 for labelling. The language used for programming was Visual basic(v 3.0)from Microsoft Corporation. RESULTS: We developed a software program for computer-assisted instruction on MR imaging of congenital heart disease as an effective educational tool.