Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this work was to investigate fast T 1-mapping for the characterization of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Methods
The accuracy and reproducibility of the T 1-mapping sequence was tested in phantoms and in 8 healthy volunteers on a 1.5 T clinical scanner using a 32-channel array coil. Furthermore, the feasibility of the technique was tested in 5 patients diagnosed with DVT by measuring the volume and T 1 values of the thrombus at 5 time points over a period of 6 months.
Results
The results of the phantom and volunteer study showed a high accuracy and reproducibility for the quantification of T 1. The resolution of the T 1-maps was high enough to identify small anatomical structures. T 1 values derived for normal blood and various other tissues were comparable to those reported in the literature. In all patients, the T 1 times of thrombi showed decreased values (T 1 = 843 ± 91 ms) in the acute phase and recovered back to normal values of blood (T 1 = 1,317 ± 36 ms) after 6 months.
Conclusions
Measurement of all relevant T 1 values of acute thrombi and normal blood achieved accurate and reproducible results in vivo. Fast T 1 quantification of the thrombus can provide information about tissue characteristics such as thrombus resolution. Such a quantitative MRI technique may be valuable in studying the factors that influence natural resolution and in evaluating treatment effects that enhance this process.
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Blume, U., Orbell, J., Waltham, M. et al. 3D T 1-mapping for the characterization of deep vein thrombosis. Magn Reson Mater Phy 22, 375–383 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-009-0189-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-009-0189-8