Pulmonary vein and left atrial invasion by lung cancer: assessment by breath-hold gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the ability of breath-hol d gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) MR angiography to assess the i nvasion of the pulmonary vein and the left atrium by lung cancer. Method: Gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography was performed in 20 consecuti ve patients with lung cancer. Results: At two sites with left atrial invasion shown by MR angiography, as sociated partial resection of the left atrium was performed. At five sites with invasion of the proximal pulmonary vein within 1.5 cm from the left at rium on MR, partial resection of the left atrium was performed at one site, and the pulmonary vein was resected at the intrapericardial portion at thr ee sites. At two sites with invasion of the proximal pulmonary vein 1.5 cm more distal to the left atrium, the pulmonary vein was resected at the extr apericardial portion. Conclusion: Breath-hold gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography is suitable f or assessing invasion of the pulmonary vein and the left atrium by lung can cer.