3D T(1)-mapping for the characterization of deep vein thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to investigate fast T (1)-mapping for the characterization of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).


METHODS
The accuracy and reproducibility of the T (1)-mapping sequence was tested in phantoms and in 8 healthy volunteers on a 1.5 T clinical scanner using a 32-channel array coil. Furthermore, the feasibility of the technique was tested in 5 patients diagnosed with DVT by measuring the volume and T (1) values of the thrombus at 5 time points over a period of 6 months.


RESULTS
The results of the phantom and volunteer study showed a high accuracy and reproducibility for the quantification of T (1). The resolution of the T (1)-maps was high enough to identify small anatomical structures. T (1) values derived for normal blood and various other tissues were comparable to those reported in the literature. In all patients, the T (1) times of thrombi showed decreased values (T (1) = 843 +/- 91 ms) in the acute phase and recovered back to normal values of blood (T (1) = 1,317 +/- 36 ms) after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of all relevant T (1) values of acute thrombi and normal blood achieved accurate and reproducible results in vivo. Fast T (1) quantification of the thrombus can provide information about tissue characteristics such as thrombus resolution. Such a quantitative MRI technique may be valuable in studying the factors that influence natural resolution and in evaluating treatment effects that enhance this process.
Blume
Ulrike
U
Division of Imaging Sciences, The Rayne Institute, King's College London, St Thomas Hospital, 4th Floor Lambeth Wing, London SE1 7EH, UK. Ulrike.blume@kcl.ac.uk
Orbell
James
J
Waltham
Matthew
M
Smith
Alberto
A
Razavi
Reza
R
Schaeffter
Tobias
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology