Rapid MR venography in children using a blood pool contrast agent and multi-station fat-water-separated volumetric imaging

Abstract

A rapid, reliable radiation-free method of pediatric body venography may complement ultrasound by evaluating veins in the abdomen and pelvis, as well as providing a global depiction of venous anatomy. We describe a MR venography technique utilizing gadofosveset, a blood pool contrast agent, in pediatric patients. The technique allows high-spatial-resolution imaging of the veins from the diaphragm to the knees in less than 15 minutes of total exam time.

Pediatric Body MR Angiography: Principles, Techniques, and Current Status in Body Imaging

“…However, higher injection rates are not suitable for longer acquisition times because if contrast material is washed out of the vessel when the periphery of the k-space is filled, the images are blurred owing to loss of the fine edge detail [11]. Contrast material can be diluted with normal saline solution to lengthen the bolus time and reduce the chance of missing the bolus; for example, 2 mL of contrast material can be diluted in normal saline solution to 10 mL [8,12]. A saline flush of 10-20 mL at the same rate as the contrast bolus maintains the tightness of the bolus and helps to achieve higher intravascular signal intensity.…”

“…The prices of similar amounts of gadobutrol and gadofosveset trisodium are in the moderate range, and gadoxetate disodium is the most expensive agent. Pediatric use of gadofosveset for MRA to assess the thoracic vasculature [14] and to detect acute gastrointestinal bleeding [16] has been reported, as has its uses for MR venography [12].…”