Dual-source cardiac computed tomographic technique, anatomy, and normal variants

Abstract

The advent of fast multislice computed tomography (CT) has ushered in a new era in the noninvasive evaluation of the heart. Cardiac structures can now be quickly evaluated with exquisite detail in a noninvasive manner. Cardiac CT is increasingly being used for the noninvasive evaluation of coronary arteries, procedural planning, and evaluating chest pain in certain clinical situations. Dual-source CT is a recent technological development that has helped improve spatial and temporal resolution for cardiac CT imaging. It is one of many "next generation" CT technologies that are now pushing image quality to new levels. The interpreting radiologist must now be familiar with detailed cardiac anatomy that is routinely imaged with these next generation units. Understanding normal cardiac anatomy, including normal variants, is key to distinguishing pathology from normal structures.