title: Characteristics and clinical value of 3D MR imaging in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics and value of 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography (3D-DCE-MRPA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Among patients suspected with PE, 30 cases were scheduled for 3D-DCE-MRPA [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) group], and 30 cases were examined using multislice computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (msCTPA) [computed tomography (CT) group]. Direct signs including location, number, morphology of emboli, and indirect signs such as pulmonary infarction, pneumonia and pleural effusion, were analyzed. Pulmonary artery enhancement was observed. Image quality was contrasted, branches of the pulmonary artery revealed, and differences in sensitivity, specificity and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were compared. The number and morphology of emboli in the two groups were compared, and there were no significant differences (P>0.05). In the MRI group, significantly more emboli were located in segmental and subsegmental bronchi (P<0.05). The indirect signs in the two groups were compared and the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The difference in image quality between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Levels 5 and 6 of the pulmonary artery branch were more evident in the MRI group compared to the CT group. The SNR and carrier-to-noise ratio in the MRI group were significantly higher than those in the CT group (P<0.05). Twenty-six cases of PE were diagnosed in the CT group, with a sensitivity of 90.5% and specificity of 86.7%. Twenty-five cases were diagnosed in the MRI group, with a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 84.2%. In conclusion, 3D-DCE-MRPA surpassed msCTPA in revealing segmental and subsegmental pulmonary artery PE.
authors: Department of Medical Imaging, The People's Liberation Army 107th Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264002, P.R. China.
authors: Jiashou
authors: J
authors: Hu
authors: CT Room, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China.
authors: Zhongwei
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Department of Endocrinology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China.
authors: Yanyan
authors: Y
authors: Qu
authors: Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The People's Liberation Army 107th Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264002, P.R. China.
authors: Jinfeng
authors: J
authors: Sun
authors: CT Room, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China.
authors: Guowei
authors: G
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Medical Imaging, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264001, P.R. China.
authors: Guanghui
authors: G
authors: Zhang
keywords: 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography; direct signs; image quality; indirect signs; multislice computed tomographic pulmonary angiography; pulmonary embolism; sensitivity; signal-to-noise ratio; specificity