Evaluation of a Novel Non-Contrast-Enhanced MRI Imaging Technique for Diagnosis and Characterisation of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT).

David J. Bowden¹, Andrew N. Priest¹, Claire Smith¹, Ilse Joubert¹, Sally Hunter¹, Martin John Graves¹, Trevor Baglin², David J. Lomas¹

Ultrasound (US) imaging represents the gold standard in the evaluation of lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT), however there is considerable inter-observer variability in the characterisation of thrombi, in particular distinguishing acute from chronic thrombosis. Several MRI methods have demonstrated promise and may be superior to ultrasound in this respect. We present initial data from a novel multi-parametric MR technique utilised in 8 patients with US-confirmed DVT which accurately defines the extent of thrombus and defines the signal characteristics of acute thrombus.