[Magnetic resonance phlebography (MRP) of the abdomen and pelvis].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the image quality of magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of pelvic and abdominal veins.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all MRV between 1993 and 1996 was conducted. A 2D-FLASH-TOF without breath hold and with arterial presaturation was used. All venous segments have been assessed for the quality of visualisation and an overall image quality was determined. 43% of our patients had malignant disease and phlebothrombosis had already been diagnosed in 64%.

RESULTS

126 examinations and 1696 venous segments were analysed. The overall quality of the examination was good, however one examination was non diagnostic because of motion artefacts. Vessels along the vertical axis were good visualised in over 90%. Most important reasons for insufficient visualisation were breathing, motion and metal artefacts as well as compression and displacement of veins due to tumour disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic resonance venography without breath hold TOF technique is practical and robust for routine clinical applications.