Value of blood pool contrast agent in magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the lower extremities and pelvis

Introduction: So far, the standard technique for magnetic resonance venography (MRV) is the 2D time-of-flight method. However, this technique is associated with a relative long scan time and sensitive to patient motion often resulting in poor image quality (1,2). Low-dose Gadolinium-enhanced 3D peripheral MRV is promising, but in patients with fresh thrombosis the puncture of a foot vein is sometimes impossible and uncomfortable (3). The purpose of our study was to determine the value of NC 100150 (blood pool agent, single iron oxide crystal stabilized with a carbohydrate polyethylene glycolcoat, Nycomed Imaging, Oslo, Norway) for evaluation of venous thrombosis of the deep veins of the pelvis and lower extremities (clinical phase II study).