3D high-spatial-resolution cerebral MR venography at 3T: a contrast-dose-reduction study

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Neuroimaging
• Vascular Imaging

Background:

• Cerebral MR venography (MRV) at 3T has not been evaluated with varying contrast doses.
• Optimizing contrast administration is crucial for diagnostic efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare diagnostic image quality between half-dose and full-dose contrast regimens for high-spatial-resolution 3D cerebral MRV at 3T.
• To assess the impact of reduced contrast on venous structure definition and arterial contamination.

Main Methods:

• Forty patients underwent 3D high-spatial-resolution cerebral contrast-enhanced MRV (CE-MRV) at 3T.
• Patients received either a full dose (~0.1 mmol/kg) or half dose (~0.05 mmol/kg) of contrast agent.
• Image quality, venous structure definition, arterial contamination, SNR, and CNR were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Venous structure definition was excellent/sufficient in ~90% of segments with full dose and ~80% with half dose.
• Delineation was significantly lower for small veins in the half-dose group (P < .01).
• No significant difference in arterial contamination; SNR and CNR were lower with half dose (P < .01).

Conclusions:

• High-spatial-resolution cerebral MRV at 3T can be performed with reduced contrast doses (as low as 7.5 mL).
• Image quality is generally maintained compared to full-dose protocols, except for the smallest veins.
• Reduced doses do not compromise acquisition speed or spatial resolution.