Evaluation of MR venography in patients with superior vena caval invasion of advanced lung cancer

We evaluate the use of MR venography (MRV) based on two-dimensional time-of-flight method in superior vena caval syndrome. For the purpose of determining the adequate imaging parameters, MRV with varying scan parameters were performed in 10 volunteers. The optimum imaging parameters were found to be flip angle of 20deg, pulse sequence of 26-30/6.9 (TR msec/TE msec) and direction of data acquisition of proximal to distal in each sagittal plane. Using these parameters, MRV was performed in 12 patients with having superior vena caval stenosis or obstruction by carcinoma of the lung. The determination of MRV was consistent with that of conventional venography in 11 of 12 stenotic segments and in 5 of 5 collateral vessels. MRV seems very suitable for the evaluation of the severity of superior vena caval invasion of lung carcinoma. (author)