The Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Determination of Cardiovascular Anomalies in Children and Young Adults with Turner Syndrome

Abstract

Aim:Congenital cardiovascular (CV) anomalies and aortic dilatation are common in patients with Turner syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare echocardiography (ECHO) findings with CV anomalies and aortic dilatation identified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children and young adults with Turner syndrome.Materials and Methods:Twenty-six girls with Turner syndrome aged 11-20 years were recruited through tertiary centers. CV anomalies and aortic diameter were evaluated using CV-MRI. Auxological measurements, karyotype analyses, medical therapies (growth hormone, estrogen, and thyroid replacement therapy) and transthoracic ECHO findings were recorded for all participants.Results:Normal cardiac anatomy was identified in 16 (61.5%) of our 26 cases, with no cardiac pathology being identified via either CV-MRI or ECHO. CV anomalies were identified in 5 of the 26 (19.2%) patients via CV-MRI. Aortic dilatation was determined in four patients (one with descending and ascending aorta, one with ascending aorta, and two with descending aorta). Aortic size index was <2 cm/m2 in all patients. ECHO was normal for the three patients with malformations detected via CV-MRI.Conclusion:CV-MRI identifies significant cardiac lesions missed by ECHO in pediatric patients with Turner syndrome, especially aortic dilatation and other vascular anomalies.

Keywords

• Turner syndrome
• cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
• cardiovascular anomalies