Feasibility of identifying deep vein thrombosis characteristics with contrast enhanced MR-Venography.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of identifying deep vein thrombosis characteristics with contrast enhanced magnetic resonance venography.


METHODS
A total of 53 cases of deep vein thrombosis extending in and/or above the common femoral vein were evaluated by 4 independent observers (2 expert, 2 novice) using pre-determined characteristics to determine the thrombosis present to be acute, sub-acute or old. If present, chronic remnants of a previous deep vein thrombosis were reported. Additionally these image qualifications were compared to the reported duration of complaints.


RESULTS
In all cases all observers were able to qualify the thrombosis. The interobserver agreement between the experts was excellent (kappa 0.97) and good between expert and novice (kappa 0.82). Thrombosis identified as acute had an average duration of complaints of 6,5 (2-13) days, sub-acute 13 (8-18) days and old 22 (15-32) days.


CONCLUSIONS
Qualification of thrombosis as acute, sub-acute or old and identification of chronic remnants of DVT with CE-MRV using routinely identifiable characteristics is feasible and reproducible with good to excellent interobserver agreement.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Viecuri Medical Centre, Venlo, The Netherlands carsten.arnoldussen@mumc.nl.
Cwkp
C
Arnoldussen
Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Rhw
R
Strijkers
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Dmj
D
Lambregts
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Mj
M
Lahaye
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
R
R
de Graaf
Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands European Vascular Center Aachen-Maastricht, Uniklinik, Aachen, Germany.
Cha
C
Wittens
Venous thrombosis; contrast agents; magnetic resonance imaging; veins