Gadolinium, a type of MRI contrast is typically used when imaging pediatric cardiac patients. Gadolinium enhances the images to give more clarity to the radiologists when distinguishing normal tissue from abnormal tissue. Further, contrast also allows for better visualization of the great vessels. Gadolinium alters the magnetic properties of nearby water molecules in the tissue. While contrast itself does not alter the tissue composition, it does affect how the scanner takes the picture. Accordingly, images can differ between pre- and post-contrast administration. While IV contrast can be administered safely, it is not without logistic implications and/or risks. MRI contrast can be given to pediatric cardiac patients intravenously, but IV access is oftentimes challenging in pediatric cardiac patients. In an effort to reduce the number of unsuccessful IV attempts and quantity of contrast administered, a novel non-contrast MR sequences is being utilized to better depict the great vessels in these children. If IV access is unsucessful or the patient cannot complete the MRI, this modality is employed to obtain more information on the patient's cardiact vasculature. This purpose of this case report paper is to show the MR imaging when using a non-contrast sequence to identify cardiac vessels in pediatric patients who cannot recieve IV contrast. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2019 Annual Meeting & Postgraduate Course , 2019

Authors: Bryant Audrey, Kandil Ali

Keywords: Pediatric, Contrast, Vasculature