Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of aortic graft healing, perigraft fluid collection, and graft infection

• Published in: European journal of vascular surgery Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 69 - 73
• Main Authors: Spartera, C., Morettini, G., Petrassi, C., Marino, G., Minuti, U., Pavone, P., Di Cesare, E., Passariello, R., Ventura, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.1990
• Subjects: Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm - surgery; Aortic Diseases - surgery; Aortic reconstruction; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - surgery; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Edema - diagnosis; Graft infection; Humans; Iliac Artery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Perigraft fluid collection; Prospective Studies; Surgical Wound Infection - diagnosis; Wound Healing; Aortic reconstruction; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Graft infection; Perigraft fluid collection
• ISSN: 0950-821X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0950-821X(05)80041-6

The authors report their preliminary experience in the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in ten patients who underwent aortic reconstruction. Examinations were performed 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery, to examine the presence, size, magnetic characteristics and evolution of periprosthetic collections. The results have shown that periprosthetic collection can be considered normal after aortic reconstructive surgery, because such a perigraft collection (PFC) was present in 90% of the patients studied 1 week after operation, and had disappeared within 24 weeks in all cases. The magnetic characteristics were evaluated by TI [repetition time (TR) = 480 msec and echo time (TE) = 20 msec]and T2 weighted spin—echo sequences (TR = 1800 msec and TE = 70/120 msec). Variations in the magnetic characteristics, found in sequential examinations, correlated with modifications of the collection and suggested that it was originally blood. The MRI examination performed 24 weeks after surgery gave a low signal intensity in TI and T2 weighted sequences (w.s.) suggesting periprosthetic fibrosis. These preliminary observations may constitute a starting point for better evaluation of the normal appearance and evolution of the periprosthetic fluid collections following aortic graft implantation and, may be useful for the early detection of infection especially in asymptomatic patients.