Search
Gadolinium - To Use or Not Use?
- One advantage of MR imaging is the option between non-contrast vs. contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) and venography (MRV)
- How do they work and when should you use which?
| Non-Contrast MRA/MRV | Contrast-Enhanced MRA/MRV | |
| How Does It Work? | * Time-of-flight (TOF) is a commonly used sequence * Relies on flow of blood into imaging plane * Difference between signal of blood and suppressed background tissue | * Similar to CT angiography/venography * Higher intravascular signal purely from gadolinium-based contrast, not dependent on flow
|
| Pros | * Does not require contrast
| * Generally better image quality * Shorter acquisition time |
| Cons | * Slow, turbulent, or retrograde flow may result in signal loss * Over-estimates stenosis * Longer acquisition time | * RIsks associated with contrast use * Timing of image acquisition important |
| Applications | * Patients with allergy to gadolinium, renal dysfunction, pregnancy * Evaluation of intracranial vessels and cerebral venous system | * Evaluation of stenoses and occlusions of the neck vessels and their origins at the aortic arch
|
References
Follow me on Twitter @ EM_NCC