[MR imaging of experimental pulmonary embolism using a macromolecular contrast medium].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate macromolecular contrast-enhanced MR-angiography for the detection of experimentally induced pulmonary artery embolism and to determine the size of the smallest detectable embolised vessel.


METHODS
Pulmonary artery embolism was artificially induced in eight isolated perfused sheep lungs by injecting room air into the main pulmonary artery. The pulmonary vascular system enhanced by macromolecular gadolinium-DTPA-polylysine was imaged with a flow-sensitive gradient-echo technique.


RESULTS
Pulmonary artery embolism was demonstrated in all eight lungs by an obvious cut-off phenomenon in the contrast-enhanced arteries proximal to the pulmonary air emboli. The smallest detectable embolised artery measured 1.6 mm in diameter and was located in the 6th generation of the pulmonary vascular system.


CONCLUSIONS
In this experimental study MR angiography enhanced by a macromolecular contrast agent allowed noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary artery embolism.
Böck
J C
JC
Strahlenklinik und Poliklinik, Virchow-Klinikum, Medizinische Fakultät der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Lehmann
J
J
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012756:Sheep
D003287:Contrast Media; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C068674:polylysine-(Gd-DTPA); D011107:Polylysine; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA