Improving high-resolution MR bold venographic imaging using a T1 reducing contrast agent

Recently, a new imaging method was proposed by Reichenbach ct al (Radiology 1997:204:272-277) to image small cerebral venous vessels specifically. Thi s method, referred to as high-resolution blood oxygen level-dependent venog raphy (HRBV), relies on the susceptibility difference between the veins and the brain parenchyma, The resulting phase difference between the vessels a nd the brain parenchyma leads to signal losses over and above the usual T2* effect. At 1.5 T, a rather long TE (roughly 40 msec) is required for this cancellation to become significant, leading to enhanced susceptibility arti facts and a long data acquisition time. In this study, we examine the utili ty of incorporating a clinically available T1 reducing contrast agent, Omni scan (Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, NY, NY), with the HRBV imaging appro ach to reduce susceptibility artifacts and imaging time while maintaining t he visibility of cerebral veins. Using a double-dose injection of Omniscan, we were able to reduce TE from 40 to 25 msec, This led to a decrease in TR from 57 to 42 msec, allowing a 26% reduction in data acquisition time whil e maintaining the visibility of cerebral venous vessels and reducing suscep tibility artifacts. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.