Lower-limb deep venous thrombosis: direct MR imaging of the thrombus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of diagnosing deep venous thrombosis (DVT) with direct three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the thrombus.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with proved DVT at conventional venography were evaluated with a magnetization-prepared three-dimensional blood- and fat-suppressed MR imaging sequence. The presence and extent of thrombosis on the MR images were compared with the findings at conventional venography.


RESULTS
At MR imaging, DVT was visualized in 17 of the 18 patients. MR imaging demonstrated greater proximal extent of the thrombosis in four patients, asymptomatic contralateral thrombosis in one, involvement of the deep femoral vein in five, and involvement of the superficial venous system in three.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct MR imaging of clots appears capable of demonstrating venographically diagnosed DVT. This MR imaging technique is noninvasive, quick, and repeatable and allows a survey of the whole lower-limb venous system. Detection of thrombosis relies on the formation of methemoglobin, which appears to be sufficiently rapid to allow use of this technique in the clinical setting. Changes in the signal from clot over time may allow estimation of the age of the thrombus.
Moody
A R
AR
Department of Academic Radiology, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, England.
Pollock
J G
JG
O'Connor
A R
AR
Bagnall
M
M
D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000473:pathology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000473:pathology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*