EXTREMITY VEINS - EVALUATION WITH FAST-SPIN-ECHO MR VENOGRAPHY

The authors evaluated a flow-independent magnetic resonance (MR) imagi ng technique in extremity veins with slow flow that relies on the prol onged T2 of blood to create angiographic contrast. A commercially avai lable heavily T2-weighted fast-spin-echo sequence was optimized for MR venography in volunteer and phantom studies. Good depiction of venous anatomy was routinely obtained with the optimized method. Fast-spin-e cho MR venography allowed evaluation of slow-flow systems such as the calf and forearm veins.