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.
Department of Radiology, Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, 1st Floor Founders-MRI Learning Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283, USA.
A Temel
AT
Tirkes
Mark A
MA
Rosen
Evan S
ES
Siegelman
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