Magnetic resonance imaging of developmental venous anomalies.

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of nine subjects with a variety of developmental venous anomalies were studied retrospectively to assess the utility of MRI for determining the presence and type of venous abnormalities. Electrocardiogram-gated or nongated MR images were obtained in the transaxial, sagittal, and coronal planes. Venous anomalies detected with MRI were persistent left superior vena cava (three cases), total anomalous venous return (one), left inferior vena cava to left atrium (one), interrupted inferior vena cava with azygos (one) or hemiazygos (one) continuation, and retroaortic left renal vein (two). Congenital cardiac anomalies seen in conjunction with these defects were corrected transposition, coarctation of the thoracic aorta, complete transposition, and polysplenia with thoracic situs solitus and abdominal situs inversus. MRI clearly depicts developmental venous anomalies and associated congenital heart disease without the administration of contrast media, thus suggesting the potential of MRI as a noninvasive method for evaluating venous anomalies. Further experience is necessary to define the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in this regard.