Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography used as a "one-stop shop'' imaging procedure for venous thromboembolism: a pilot study.
Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis are individual manifestations of a single entity, venous thromboembolic disease. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of 3-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography used as an "one-stop shop'' imaging procedure visualizing both the pulmonary arteries and the deep lower venous system within a single investigation. The inclusion criterion was a proven or excluded venous thromboembolism. Diagnosis was based on an imaging work-up for pulmonary embolism including either perfusion lung scan or contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography, or both, and an imaging work-up for deep venous thrombosis including either venous color-coded duplex sonography or ascending phlebography, or both. A gadolinium-enhanced "one-stop shop'' magnetic resonance angiography was performed within 24 hours of completed diagnostic imaging work-up for pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis in 20 patients. Results of pulmonary magnetic resonance angiography were concordant with perfusion lung scan and/or computed tomography in 90% of patients. Magnetic resonance angiography results of the deep lower venous system were concordant with venous duplex sonography and/or phlebography in 75% of patients and seemed to be more precise in 25% of patients. The "one-stop shop'' imaging procedure using gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography was feasible and proved to offer a reliable and rapid diagnostic approach in thromboembolic disease, sparing patients' exposure to ionizing radiation and iodinated contrast media.
Obernosterer
Andrea
A
Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Karl-Franzens University Hospital, Graz, Austria. andrea.obernosterer@uni-graz.at
Aschauer
Manuela
M
Portugaller
Horst
H
Köppel
Herwig
H
Lipp
Rainer W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D005682:Gadolinium