In 1 study, detection of thoracic aorta pathology by contrast-enhanced chest MRA was equivalent in sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy compared to noncontrast MRA, although only a single case of thrombus was included in the analysis [43]. On the other hand, in a small analysis which included 9 patients with aortic thrombus, contrast-enhanced MRA had a lower thrombus detection rate compared to a noncontrast examination, although this finding was not statistically significant [44]. Contrast- enhanced MRA of the abdomen has been used for intraluminal thrombus detection in the setting of aneurysms, although comparative data is insufficient [56-58]. Data comparing MRA of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to other imaging modalities is lacking. MRA Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without IV Contrast Chest, abdomen, and pelvis MRA without IV contrast can be used to evaluate for the presence of an embolic source in the aorta in its entirety. One small study found this examination to have a higher detection rate for aortic thrombus when compared with contrast-enhanced MRA, although the difference was not statistically significant [44]. In another study, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced steady-state free precession MRA were 100% for the detection of thoracic aorta pathology compared to a contrast-enhanced MRA reference standard, however this analysis only included 1 case of mural thrombus [43]. Noncontrast MRA has been used for the detection of abdominal aortic intraluminal thrombus, although there is insufficient data comparing it to contrast- enhanced MRA [56-58]. Data comparing MRA of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to other imaging modalities is lacking. MRI Heart Function and Morphology Without and With IV Contrast Cardiac MR is a noninvasive imaging study that can reliably detect intracardiac thrombus as well as valvular and neoplastic pathologies.
Workup of Noncerebral Systemic Arterial Embolic Source. In 1 study, detection of thoracic aorta pathology by contrast-enhanced chest MRA was equivalent in sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy compared to noncontrast MRA, although only a single case of thrombus was included in the analysis [43]. On the other hand, in a small analysis which included 9 patients with aortic thrombus, contrast-enhanced MRA had a lower thrombus detection rate compared to a noncontrast examination, although this finding was not statistically significant [44]. Contrast- enhanced MRA of the abdomen has been used for intraluminal thrombus detection in the setting of aneurysms, although comparative data is insufficient [56-58]. Data comparing MRA of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to other imaging modalities is lacking. MRA Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without IV Contrast Chest, abdomen, and pelvis MRA without IV contrast can be used to evaluate for the presence of an embolic source in the aorta in its entirety. One small study found this examination to have a higher detection rate for aortic thrombus when compared with contrast-enhanced MRA, although the difference was not statistically significant [44]. In another study, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced steady-state free precession MRA were 100% for the detection of thoracic aorta pathology compared to a contrast-enhanced MRA reference standard, however this analysis only included 1 case of mural thrombus [43]. Noncontrast MRA has been used for the detection of abdominal aortic intraluminal thrombus, although there is insufficient data comparing it to contrast- enhanced MRA [56-58]. Data comparing MRA of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to other imaging modalities is lacking. MRI Heart Function and Morphology Without and With IV Contrast Cardiac MR is a noninvasive imaging study that can reliably detect intracardiac thrombus as well as valvular and neoplastic pathologies.