Giant pseudoaneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract after repair of truncus arteriosus: evaluation by MR imaging and surgical approach

One year after surgical repair of the truncus arteriosus, a 1-year 8-month-old boy was found to have a pseudoaneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Cine-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a narrow communication between the RVOT and aneurysm. MRI was useful to evaluate the anatomical and spatial relations between the pseudoaneurysm and the surrounding structures, therefore an appropriate approach was chosen. Thus, a median sternotomy approach was carried out and ordinary central cannulation was feasible to establish a cardiopulmonary bypass. The defect was successfully repaired with reconstruction using a monocuspid outflow patch. MRI provided useful information for deciding the surgical approach. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.