Magnetic resonance imaging in complete type endocardial cushion defect

Objective To evaluate the value and limitation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in complete type endocardial cushion defect (CTECD). Methods Eight patients (male 5,female 3) were scanned by MRI with ECG gated spin echo (SE) and gradient echo (GE) cine techniques. The diagnosis of CTECD was made by X ray plain film, echocardiography, X ray right cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography ,as well as MRI. four patients were treated with operation. Results Every chamber of the heart was enlargerd, more serious in the right atrium and ventricle, with thickening of right ventricular wall on MRI in majority of cases. The endocardial cushion disappeared, so the four chambers of the heart were directly connected with each other, and presented a cross shape. Ventricular septal membrane defect and type I atrial septal defect were depicted also. The normal structure of mitral and tricuspid valves were not intact. There were 6 cases with pulmonary hypertension,2cases with Tetralogy of Fallot,4 cases with right aorta arch and descending aorta, 1 patient with dextroverted heart and another with persistent left superior vena cava connected with coronary sinus. The cine MRI could directly depict the situation of left right or right left shunt at atrial and ventricular levels, and regurgitation from ventricles to atria, meanwhile the valves were depicted clearly. Conclusions MRI can clearly demonstrate all anatomic deformation and complicated hemodynamic change of CTECD, as well as other coexistent deformations.