Which condition is indicated by the appearance of a snowman on imaging?

The appearance of a "snowman" or "figure of eight" on imaging, particularly in echocardiography or chest X-ray, is a classic representation of Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). In this condition, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are switched, leading to two separate circulations: oxygen-poor blood returning to the right side of the heart is pumped back to the body without being oxygenated, while oxygen-rich blood returning to the left side of the heart is sent back to the lungs for re-oxygenation. This anatomical arrangement can create a characteristic configuration on imaging, resembling a snowman due to the visual representation of the two great vessels and the heart chambers involved.

Understanding TGA in the clinical context is vital, as it usually presents in newborns with severe cyanosis shortly after birth. The imaging features play a significant role in diagnosing this life-threatening condition, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these classic indicators.