Category: Neurology
Keywords: MRA, MRV, non-contrast, contrast-enhanced, gadolinium, time-of-flight, TOF (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/8/2016 by WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD
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Gadolinium - To Use or Not Use?
| Non-Contrast MRA/MRV | Contrast-Enhanced MRA/MRV | |
| How Does It Work? | * Time-of-flight (TOF) is a commonly used sequence * Relies on flow of blood into imaging plane * Difference between signal of blood and suppressed background tissue | * Similar to CT angiography/venography * Higher intravascular signal purely from gadolinium-based contrast, not dependent on flow
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| Pros | * Does not require contrast
| * Generally better image quality * Shorter acquisition time |
| Cons | * Slow, turbulent, or retrograde flow may result in signal loss * Over-estimates stenosis * Longer acquisition time | * RIsks associated with contrast use * Timing of image acquisition important |
| Applications | * Patients with allergy to gadolinium, renal dysfunction, pregnancy * Evaluation of intracranial vessels and cerebral venous system | * Evaluation of stenoses and occlusions of the neck vessels and their origins at the aortic arch
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