Original Research

Visualization of deep veins and detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with balanced turbo field echo (b-TFE) and contrast-enhanced T1 fast field echo (CE-FFE) using a blood pool agent (BPA)

  1. Tone Enden MD1,2,3,*,
  2. Tryggve H. Storås MS4,
  3. Anne Negård PhD5,
  4. Ylva Haig MD2,
  5. Leiv Sandvik PhD6,
  6. Kjell-Inge Gjesdal PhD7,
  7. Per Morten Sandset PhD1,3,
  8. Nils-Einar Kløw PhD1,2

Article first published online: 23 JAN 2010

DOI: 10.1002/jmri.22046

Issue

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Volume 31, Issue 2, pages 416–424, February 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Enden, T., Storås, T. H., Negård, A., Haig, Y., Sandvik, L., Gjesdal, K.-I., Sandset, P. M. and Kløw, N.-E. (2010), Visualization of deep veins and detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with balanced turbo field echo (b-TFE) and contrast-enhanced T1 fast field echo (CE-FFE) using a blood pool agent (BPA). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging, 31: 416–424. doi: 10.1002/jmri.22046

Author Information

  1. 1

    Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

  2. 2

    Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

  3. 3

    Department of Haematology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

  4. 4

    Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

  5. 5

    Department of Radiology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway

  6. 6

    Centre of Clinical Research, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway

  7. 7

    Sunnmøre MR-Klinikk, Ålesund, Norway

*Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, 0407 Oslo, Norway

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 JAN 2010
  2. Article first published online: 23 JAN 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 2 NOV 2009
  4. Manuscript Received: 12 SEP 2008

Funded by

  • Norwegian Research Council
  • University of Oslo and Medical Service Division
  • Oslo University Hospital, Ulleval, Oslo. Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (367K)

Keywords:

  • venous thrombosis;
  • veins;
  • magnetic resonance imaging;
  • contrast agents;
  • blood pool agents

Abstract

Purpose:

To assess image quality, vessel visualization, preliminary diagnostic properties, and interobserver variability of a novel balanced turbo field echo (b-TFE) sequence and contrast-enhanced T1 fast field echo (CE-FFE) sequence with blood pool agent (BPA).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 15 healthy volunteers and six patients with ultrasound-verified proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were examined from the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the proximal calf veins.

Results:

The great majority of deep veins were completely visualized on both sequences. In healthy volunteers the IVC was completely visualized in five b-TFE and 11 CE-FFE scans, and partially in seven b-TFE and four CE-FFE scans (P = 0.008). Poorest image quality was in the pelvis. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was higher on b-TFE compared to CE-FFE, with significant difference in calf images (P = 0.036). Sensitivity was 100% for proximal DVT with both methods. Specificity was 70% (CE-FFE) and 80% (b-TFE) for proximal femoral DVT; 100% in distal femoral. Interobserver reliability was kappa 1.0 (b-TFE), 0.9 (CE-FFE) for proximal, and overall poor for distal DVT.

Conclusion:

Contrast-enhancement did not add valuable information in visualizing deep veins of the lower limbs compared to b-TFE, though the IVC was slightly better visualized. Diagnostic properties and interobserver reliability of both sequences were good for proximal DVT and poor for distal DVT. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010; 31: 416–424. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (367K)