[Contrast-enhanced 3D MR venography of central thoracic veins: preliminary experience].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) venography for evaluation of thoracic central veins.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Over a 4-month period, 14 patients with suspected central venous abnormalities were examined on a 1.5 T scanner (Magnetom Sonata, SIEMENS, Germany) by means of MR venography. A FLASH-3D sequence using the following parameters was employed: TR 1.6 ms, TE 0.6 ms, TA 3.74 s, flip: 15 degrees, slab thickness 110 mm, effective slice thickness: 2.75 mm, 40 partitions, FOV 360 mm, matrix 140 x 256. 10 s prior to imaging 20 ml of Gd-DOPTA (Multihance, BRACCO, Italy) were automatically injected (MEDRAD, Pittsburgh, USA) flushed by 20 ml of normal saline (flow 4 ml/s). Six 3D data sets were acquired in immediate succession in under 24 s. Results were corroborated with findings from duplex sonography.

RESULTS

MR venograms were of diagnostic quality for all 14 patients. Compared to duplex sonography thromboses, post-thrombotic changes as well as functional compressions were reliably detected. Unsuspected findings were found in two patients.

CONCLUSION

The outlined strategy allows for dynamic diagnostic imaging of central thoracic veins. Gadolinium-enhanced breath-hold 3D MR venography is easy to perform, well tolerated and highly accurate in assessing central venous pathology.