Abstract #0515

Wang M, Haynor D, Wilson G, Maki J

Intravascular hematocrit can occur during the time period of equilibrium phase imaging, particularly in slow flowing or stagnant veins. It consists of a layering between contrast-enhanced and less-enhanced layers that can appear similar to the type of filling defect seen with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This layering effect has not been reported in MR venography, likely because equilibrium imaging is not typically performed. Blood pool agents allow intravascular HCT to be observed during equilibrium phase imaging. Flow characteristics and the enhancement patterns of the HCT layering effect were examined in ex-vivo and in vivo studies.