Scanning Protocols for Evaluation of Congenital Thoracic Vascular Abnormalities

Echocardiography is often insufficient to evaluate congenital thoracic vascular abnormalities. CT and MRI are excellent imaging modalities for assessment of congenital thoracic vascular anomalies. The main advantages of MRI are absence of radiation exposure and possibility of concomitant flow quantification. The advantages of CT are short examination time, high spatial resolution, possibility of simultaneous evaluation of airways and lung parenchyma. Learning objectives of the lecture: to discuss MRI and CT scanning protocols for evaluation of congenital thoracic vascular abnormalities; to demonstrate imaging findings in patients with congenital thoracic vascular anomalies; to highlight advantages and disadvantages of MRI and CT in evaluation of congenital thoracic vascular abnormalities; to describe current advances in pediatric cardiovascular CT and MRI.