Pathology of the thoracic venous system: Multidetector row CT and 3D volume-rendered angiography

In health and disease, the large-volume, slow-flow thoracic venous system has a highly variable anatomy, with tortuosity and tributaries that limit two-dimensional and conventional angiography interpretation. Multidetector row CT and volume rendering postprocessing have some unique advantages through high spatial and contrast resolution with infinite planes, projections, and trapezoids for segmentation of the venous data set. Such techniques offer superior imaging of thoracic venous pathology for therapeutic management. This article reviews the techniques and protocols and their application to pathology of the thoracic systemic and pulmonary veins.