Detecting cardiac abnormalities on routine chest CT.

Standard chest CT has revolutionized imaging of the lungs with its ability to differentiate between numerous pulmonary disorders. All too often, however, radiologists forget to analyze the heart while interpreting these studies. CT findings in the heart may contribute additional information to findings in the lungs, or may point to an entirely separate disease process. This image-driven review will help the conscientious radiologist evaluate the heart and recognize many more common abnormalities encountered on a routine chest CT.