Gadolinium susceptibility artifact causing false positive stenosis isolated to the proximal common carotid artery in 3D dynamic contrast medium enhanced MR angiography of the thorax--a brief review of causes and prevention.
Due to the close proximity of arteries and veins in the superior mediastinum and upper extremities, T2* shortening effects of the gadolinium within the central veins may cause artifactual vascular stenosis (susceptibility artifact) on arterial-phase MR angiographic images of the major branches of the aortic arch. We report a case of artifactual stenosis isolated to the origin of the left common carotid artery on arterial-phase MR angiography, secondary to susceptibility artifact from non-diluted gadolinium in the adjacent brachiocephalic vein. The cause of the artifact, its identification and prevention is reviewed.
Tirkes
A Temel
AT
Department of Radiology, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 1st Floor Founders-MRI Learning Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
Rosen
Mark A
MA
Siegelman
Evan S
ES
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA