Role of Computed Tomography in Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease in Pediatrics

Abstract

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children, necessitating accurate and timely diagnosis. While echocardiography remains the primary modality, computed tomography (CT) offers high-resolution anatomical visualization critical for complex CHD evaluation.
Objective: To assess the diagnostic role of CT in evaluating congenital heart diseases in pediatric patients.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Services Hospital, Lahore, over four months. A total of 45 pediatric patients (newborn to 10 years) with clinically diagnosed CHD were assessed using 64-slice multidetector CT. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results: Of 45 patients, 51.1% were male and 48.9% female. The most common CHD identified was atrial septal defect (48.9%), followed by transposition of the great arteries (40%), patent ductus arteriosus (35.6%), and tetralogy of Fallot (26.7%). CT revealed structural defects with high diagnostic precision, particularly in extracardiac vascular anomalies and complex CHD.
Conclusion: CT imaging proves to be an invaluable diagnostic tool in pediatric CHD, offering detailed anatomical insight that complements echocardiography. Its rapid image acquisition and 3D capabilities support accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.