Incidence and appearances of coronary sinus anomalies in adults on cardiac CT

Jpn J Radiol. 2016 Oct;34(10):684-690. doi: 10.1007/s11604-016-0574-y. Epub 2016 Aug 11.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and appearances of coronary sinus (CS) anomalies on cardiac computed tomography (CT) of adult patients and to compare them with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated cardiac CT images for the presence of CS anomalies in 6936 adult patients who underwent imaging from April 1 2008 to March 31 2015 at our institution. We also reviewed and compared with TTE findings for the cases of CS anomalies.

Results: CS anomalies were diagnosed in 23 of the 6936 (0.33 %) and included persistence of the left superior vena cava (PLSVC) in 19 cases, unroofed CS (UCS) in two, coronary artery-CS fistula in two, and CS atresia in one. TTE revealed CS dilatation in only five of the 16 cases of PLSVC and suggested CS anomaly in the two cases of coronary artery-CS fistula. The other cases of CS anomaly were detected incidentally on CT.

Conclusion: The incidence of CS anomalies was 0.33 %. Precise diagnosis of CS anomalies with TTE and the original transverse images on cardiac CT alone was difficult for some conditions. We should be alert for the presence of CS anomalies which can cause clinical or procedural complications.

Keywords: Cardiac computed tomography; Coronary artery-coronary sinus fistula; Coronary sinus atresia; Persistent left superior vena cava; Unroofed coronary sinus.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Contrast Media
  • Coronary Sinus / abnormalities*
  • Coronary Sinus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / epidemiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Iopamidol
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Iopamidol