For Detecting Endoleaks MRI Better Than MDCT

Contrast-enhanced MR imaging is significantly superior to 16 slice multidetector CT in the detection of endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurisms (EVAR), according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Ospedale San Giovanni in Bellinzona, Switzerland.

"Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms has become a viable alternative treatment to open surgery for many patients. Endoleak development represents a complication of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair and is characterized by blood flow outside the stent-graft lumen but within the aneurysm sac," said Rolf Wyttenbach, MD, lead author of the study. "Patients after EVAR need livelong imaging surveillance to detect endoleaks. CT is most commonly used for imaging follow-up of these patients. , A few prior studies suggested that MRI may be superior to CT for the detection of endoleaks. However, these studies mostly used single or 4-row MDCT and standard gadolinium contrast media for MR imaging," he said.

source: American Roentgen Ray Society