value of plain X-ray film in diagnosis of septal defects

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on 46 patients with septal defects. They were 21 females and 25 males, their ages ranged from 5 months to 37 years. Patients were referred with provisional diagnosis based on clinical data. Chest x-ray in postro-anterior and lateral views was performed. All patients were subjected to echocardiography [M-mode, 2D, Doppler, and contrast echo]. There were 17 patients with atrial septal defect [ASD], 19 patients with ventricular septal defect [VSD] and 10 patients with atrio-ventricular canal defect [A-V canal]. In the management of congenital heart disease [CHD], much more information is required than can be obtained from chest radiograph. Nevertheless, useful information may be present which may have an important bearing on planning of subsequent investigations. Vascular pattern faithfully reflects the underlying pathophysiology of the heart it would seem advantageous for the observer to start with. The roentgen appearance of the great vessels often provides valuable information for the diagnosis of heart disease. Echocardiography of the heart offers a wealth of anatomical and physiological information without radiation or known risk. Echocardiography proved great efficiency in diagnosing all cases of atrial and ventricular septal defects. It clearly demonstrated the exact sites of septal effects, but it could not exactly determine the magnitude of the shunts. Finally, this study can conclude that any patient suspected of having CHD, septal defect, should be carefully examined clinically. A good chest film should be performed. Echocardiography should come next as a routine noninvasive diagnostic tool