16 Slice Spiral CT Diagnosis In Atrial Septal Defect

Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of 16 slice spiral CT in diagnosis and directing therapy of atrial septal defect(ASD).Methods: A total of 22 patients were diagnosised with ASD from Sep, 2004 to Feb, 2006. Among these patients, male: 6, female: 16, mean age: 33.7±19.3 years old. 16 slice spiral CT(GE incor, USA) was applied in our study. The scanner mode either plain or strengthe adopted routine method: rotation time: 0.5s/roll; slice thickness: 1.25mm; pitch: 1.375; suker voltage 120kV; suker electric current: 330-420mA. Using high pressure syringe, contrast agent(75-90ml) was injected in a sharp velocity(2.5-3.5 ml/s) through elbow vein. The primitive CT images were three-dimensional reconstructed by the methods of mutiple planar reconstruction (MPR), volume rendering(VR) ets. The items of measurements include the overall length of atrial septum, the largest transversal and vertical diameter of ASD and the distance from borderline of ASD to superior vena orifice, to inferior vena orifice, to the cacumen and posterior wall of left atria, to mitral annulus, and to valva aortica. The results were compared with the datum of transesophageal echocardiography(TEE). The interventional and surgical therapy were applied in all cases.Results:1. All the patients diagnosed by 16 slice spiral CT showed: 18 patients with simple foramen secundum ASD, 2 patients with foramen seundum ASD complicated by patent ductus arteriosus,1 patients with simple foramen secundum ASD accompanied by dystopia draining of left superior pulmonary vein(missed by TEE) and 1 patients with foramen seundum...