Role of Non-Contrast MRI in Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism

Mohamed, Iman Sherif Ahmad; Abdurrahman, Laila Ahmad; Osman, Ahmed Mohamed

doi:10.12816/0039049

Role of Non-Contrast MRI in Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Radiology Department, Faculty of medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

10.12816/0039049

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary embolism patients with contraindication to radiation exposure and contrast injection. Objective: comparative study between the non -contrast Magnetic Resonance Pulmonary Angiography (MR PA) and the Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) in diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Patients and methods: twenty-one patients were included in our study. All patients were admitted and/or referred to Ain Shams University Hospital Departments, Kasr El Ainy Hospital and private centers confirmed to have pulmonary embolism (PE) by CTA. All patients underwent CTA and non-contrast MR-PA in the same day or within three consecutive days. The radiological examinations were interpreted by two different radiologists. The results were compared and statistically analyzed. Results: The mean age of the selected patients was about 49.43years old. 16 cases showed positive PE in both MR-PA and CTA. The 5 cases showed negative results in both. Conclusion: The non-contrast MR-PA has a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PE especially in major branches. So, it can be used as an alternative to the CTA especially when the CTA and the use of gadolinium are contraindicated.

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