HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schmitz, S. A. Articles by Wolf, K.-J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schmitz, S. A. Articles by Wolf, K.-J.

USPIO-enhanced Direct MR Imaging of Thrombus: Preclinical Evaluation in Rabbits¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (S.A.S., S. Winterhalter, S.S., R.G., K.J.W.) and the Department of Pathology (S.E.C.), Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, and the Institute of Diagnostic Research (M.K., W.S.), Freie Universität Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany; and the Department of Radiology, Charité, Humboldt Universität Berlin, Germany (S. Wagner). Received October 9, 2000; revision requested November 17; revision received May 2, 2001; accepted May 9. Address correspondence to S.A.S. (e-mail: s.schmitz@medizin.fu-berlin.de).

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) particles may diffuse into nonendothelialized fresh thrombi and thus allow for direct magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of a thrombus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stagnation thrombi of different thrombus ages (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days) were induced in the external jugular veins of 25 rabbits. Direct MR imaging of thrombi was performed by using a fat-saturated T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence (three-dimensional [3D] magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo) before and 24 hours after intravenous administration of USPIO (particle size, 25 nm; 200 µmol per kilogram of body weight). Thrombus length on 3D reconstruction images was compared with that depicted on a radiographic venogram and with histologic findings (joint reference standard). In addition, T2*-weighted gradient-echo images were acquired and scored semiquantitatively.

RESULTS: The hyperintensity of the thrombus segment depicted on T1-weighted images (thrombus length determined with 3D reconstruction images divided by true thrombus length) increased significantly after administration of contrast medium at a thrombus age of 3 days (0.6 ± 0.4 [SD] to 0.8 ± 0.4; P = .02), 5 days (0.1 ± 0.1 to 1.0 ± 0.1; P < .001), and 7 days (0 to 0.6 ± 0.4; P = .02), but not at an age of 1 and 9 days. No significant change in the thrombus signal intensity was observed on T2*-weighted images.

CONCLUSION: The animal model showed that direct MR imaging of the thrombus improved 24 hours after USPIO administration with a T1-weighted sequence. No improvement was seen with the T2*-weighted sequence.

Index terms: Animals • Contrast media, experimental studies, 907.129412, 907.12943 • Contrast media, magnetic resonance (MR), 907.129412, 907.12943 • Embolism, experimental studies, 907.77 • Iron • Thrombosis, experimental studies, 907.751 • Thrombosis, MR, 907.751 • Veins, MR, 907.129412, 907.12943

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Li, J. Salanitri, S. Tutton, E. E. Dunkle, J. R. Schneider, J. A. Caprini, L. N. Pierchala, P. M. Jacobs, and R. R. Edelman Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis: Evaluation with Ferumoxytol-enhanced MR Imaging and Dual-Contrast Mechanism--Preliminary Experience Radiology, March 1, 2007; 242(3): 873 - 881. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Sirol, V. Fuster, J. J. Badimon, J. T. Fallon, J.-F. Toussaint, and Z. A. Fayad Chronic Thrombus Detection With In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging and a Fibrin-Targeted Contrast Agent Circulation, September 13, 2005; 112(11): 1594 - 1600. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]