Rings, slings and other vascular abnormalities. Ultrafast computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography in pediatric cardiology.

Ultrafast CT and MR angiography are noninvasive, accurate and robust techniques for preoperative diagnosis and planning of congenital heart disease and vascular abnormalities in pediatric patients. While they seem to be equivalent to conventional catheter angiocardiography for detecting vascular abnormalities, they are more accurate for the diagnosis of potentially life-threatening complications, such as tracheal, bronchial or esophageal compression. The value of ultrafast CT and MR angiography is demonstrated in 22 pediatric patients with vascular rings, slings and other vascular abnormalities.