Editor’s Choice
Editor’s Comment
This case series of 5 patients describes the authors’ approach to using dynamic MRA with direct puncture of venous malformations to define the angioarchitecture and draining veins in these lesions. MultiHance in a 1:100 dilution with normal saline solution was used for the contrast administration. Precontrast images were used as a mask and were digitally subtracted from the postcontrast images (13- and 51-second acquisitions, respectively). The authors conclude that they have developed a method to completely eliminate digital subtraction angiography x-ray radiation exposure during treatment of venous vascular malformations.
Summary
We present a new technique using MRA instead of the usual DSA to provide guidance in the treatment of venous vascular malformations. When one performs this embolization procedure, appropriate needle positioning within the malformation must be confirmed before injection of the sclerosing agent to prevent untoward complications. Time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics–MRA can accurately depict the angioarchitecture of the lesion, which substantially reduces the total radiation dose in these patients who are commonly in the pediatric age group and usually require numerous treatment episodes.
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