Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR venography to evaluate central venous steno-occlusive disease in hemodialysis patients.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the agreement and diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance venography (3D-Gd-MRV) in central venous steno-occlusive disease (CVSD) in haemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen consecutive haemodialysis patients underwent interventional procedures to evaluate or treat CVSD. 3D-Gd-MRV was performed before the procedures and the results were compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: DSA showed >50% stenosis in all 14 patients, 13 of whom were diagnosed correctly using 3D-Gd-MRV. Moderate stenosis was missed at 3D-Gd-MRV in one case whereby the indwelling dialysis central venous catheter may have caused an artefact on the images and hindered the accuracy of the result. The sensitivity of 3D-Gd-MRV in revealing stenosis was 93% (13/14). No complications caused by contrast agent toxicity occurred in any patient. CONCLUSION: 3D-Gd-MRV employing a non-breath-hold technique is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of CVSD and may be an alternative technique to DSA for the visualization of central veins.