Evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging of the inferior vena cava in patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis metastatic to the retroperitoneum.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating suspected occlusion of the inferior vena cava (i.v.c.) in patients with abdominal nodal metastases from non-seminomatous germ cell tumours, thus giving information that may be helpful in planning surgery and for determining the need for anticoagulant therapy.


METHODS
Five patients with abdominal nodal metastases in whom occlusion of the i.v.c. was suspected on computed tomography (CT) were imaged using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. The MRI findings were compared with those from CT.


RESULTS
The MR images successfully and clearly detected partial and total occlusions of the i.v.c. by both intraluminal thrombus and extrinsic compression. The technique also clearly detected extensive collateral venous circulation in several cases and in one a cavernous transformation of the i.v.c. In all patients, the MRI studies provided better information than that from CT.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI, and particularly MRA, is a comparatively new technique that is non-invasive and offers the potential of evaluating vascular structures with no need for ionizing radiation or contrast media. This technique, if available, should be chosen for imaging the i.v.c. in patients suspected of having compression or occlusion of the i.v.c.
Ng
C S
CS
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, UK.
Husband
J E
JE
Padhani
A R
AR
Long
M A
MA
Horwich
A
A
Hendry
W F
WF
Dearnaley
D P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D018237:Germinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior
D000925:Anticoagulants