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Flow‐independent magnetic resonance venography of the calf
Author(s) -
Gallix Benoît P.,
AchardLichère Cécile,
Dauzat Michel,
Bruel JeanMichel,
Lopez FrancoisMichel
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.10273
Subject(s) - medicine , venography , radiology , venous thrombosis , magnetic resonance imaging , thrombosis , anatomy , surgery
Purpose To show that flow‐independent venography that exploit the intrinsic MR properties of blood to isolate vessels from surrounding structures can be used for depiction of peripheral veins and for detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Materials and Methods Sequence and parameters were first determined on a theoretical basis. The sequence was then optimized in volunteers ( N = 4) for the depiction of the peripheral venous vessels. Qualitative evaluation of the normal venous anatomy was performed in five volunteers. The feasibility of diagnosing DVT of the calf with this method was evaluated with preliminary clinical studies. Results Excellent depiction of the venous anatomy was achieved in all volunteers with the optimized technique. Very small venous structures, such as superficial, muscular, and perforator veins, were clearly depicted because of the high spatial and contrast resolution capacities of the sequences. In all six patients, DVT findings diagnosed by duplex sonography were also seen on MR venography. Conclusion Venous anatomy mapping and detection of lower‐limb DVT appear feasible using flow‐independent MR venograms. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:421–426. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.