Incidental Finding on MDCT of Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Use of CT and MRI to Assess Clinical Importance

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 184; no. 6; pp. 1924 - 1931
• Main Authors: Goitein, Orly, Fuhrman, Carl R, Lacomis, Joan M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leesburg, VA Am Roentgen Ray Soc 01.06.2005; American Roentgen Ray Society
• Subjects: Aged; Angiography; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Congenital heart diseases. Malformations of the aorta, pulmonary vessels and vena cava; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - diagnosis; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent - diagnostic imaging; Echocardiography; Female; Heart; Humans; Incidental Findings; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Multidetector scanner; Radiodiagnosis; Cardiovascular disease; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography; Congenital cardiopathy; Ductus arteriosus; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 0361-803X; 1546-3141
• DOI: 10.2214/ajr.184.6.01841924

The purpose of this article is to describe the imaging features of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) identified on chest MDCT performed for other indications and to describe the additional functional information that cardiac MRI can provide about these lesions. The daily use of MDCT studies for the evaluation of pulmonary embolic disease or aortic abnormalities can reveal incidental PDAs. Small incidental PDAs can be identified on chest MDCT angiography timed for either the pulmonary arteries or the aorta. Using multiplanar reformations, one can assess PDA location, caliber, length, and presence of calcifications. The presence of a "positive" or a "negative contrast jet" verifies a patent shunt. Cardiac MRI shows the detailed anatomic and morphologic features of a PDA. Hemodynamic information revealing the presence and severity of a significant shunt is obtainable using velocity-encoded MRI, allowing accurate shunt calculation. Using MDCT and MRI, information regarding the clinical significance of an incidental PDA can influence management decisions. The imaging information was used to determine that one PDA required intervention.