Case report: Additional Imaging Supports TAPVR Care

A case report shows that advanced cardiac CT and MRI imaging can improve surgical planning and reintervention for patients with infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR). See what Sebastián Quiñones-Carrasquillo, MD, and co-authors Todd Nowlen, MD and Daniel Velez, MD, recommend for using these advanced diagnostic imaging modalities.

By
August 12, 2026
6 min

Phoenix Children's Medical Connection

Objective:

To emphasize the role of advanced imaging in surgical planning for infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR).

Approach:

Case Report Overview: A 2-day-old newborn with suspected infradiaphragmatic TAPVR underwent echocardiography and surgery, which revealed a right-sided confluence. Postoperative CT identified a separate left-sided confluence draining into the splenic vein.

Key Findings:

Echocardiography may not fully capture complex TAPVR anatomy, with a 9% misdiagnosis rate.
Cardiac CT is useful for defining anatomy and planning surgical interventions.
Advanced imaging can reveal critical anatomical details that influence surgical strategy.

Interpretation:

The findings suggest that reliance solely on echocardiography may lead to incomplete understanding of TAPVR anatomy, necessitating advanced imaging in certain cases.