MR and CT Imaging of the Pediatric Patient With Structural Heart Disease

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are imaging modalities increasingly used in the diagnosis and management of structural heart disease. They are powerful imaging tools that have individual strengths and weaknesses. Rational choice between MRI and CT should be based on a sound understanding of these issues. Management guidelines that incorporate the use of MRI and CT are currently being developed, and their utilizations are expected to grow rapidly in the future.

Keywords: Congenital heart disease, Magnetic resonance imaging, Multi-detector rows, Computed tomography

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA

Address correspondence to Frandics P. Chan, MD, PhD, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, S-066, Stanford, CA 94305-5105

PII: S1092-9126(09)00010-6

doi:10.1053/j.pcsu.2009.01.009

18 of 27