Detection of thrombus with spin-echo and gradient-echo MR imaging

This paper compares the sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in identifying intravascular thrombus with spin-echo (SE) images alone, gradient-echo (GRE) images alone, and SE plus GRE images. In 58 patients, 233 veins in the abdominal region were reviewed in a blinded manner by three radiologists using seven levels of certitude for the diagnosis of thrombus. Corroborative studies, available in all cases, proved thrombosis in 75 vessels and flow patency in the other 158. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for the accuracy of the distinction between thrombus and flow signal for SE images alone, GRE images alone, and SE plus GRE images