Comparison of MS-325- and Gadodiamide-enhanced MR Venography of Iliocaval Veins

Abstract

To compare conventional extracellular and blood-pool magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents in "indirect" contrast-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) MR venography of the iliocaval veins. Twenty-nine gadodiamide-enhanced 3D MR (Gd-MR) angiography studies and 12 MS-325-enhanced 3D MR (MS-325-MR) angiography studies were reviewed retrospectively. Abnormalities of the inferior vena cava (IVC) or iliac veins were not suspected before MR imaging. The MR angiography studies were reviewed with and without subtraction. Diagnostic conspicuity and subjective contrast of the various iliocaval venous segments (suprarenal IVC, infrarenal IVC, and iliac veins) and the presence of artifacts were subjectively scored by two blinded observers. In the Gd-MR angiography group, the infrarenal IVC and iliac veins were visualized with good conspicuity in only 55% of segments compared to 92%-100% of segments in the MS-325-MR angiography group. Although subtraction improved subjective conspicuity and contrast relative to background in the Gd-MR angiography group, it resulted in increased artifacts and luminal blurring. Subtraction offered little diagnostic advantage in the MS-325-MR angiography group. Indirect contrast-enhanced 3D MR venography with use of MS-325 offered significantly improved diagnostic conspicuity and contrast in iliocaval venous opacification compared to gadodiamide-enhanced studies.