Purpose/ Objective

There is a gap in technological development. Several medical imaging techniques have been developed for diagnosing DVT in recent decades. X-ray contrast venography has traditionally been the gold standard; however, the need for iodinated contrast agent and radiation exposure, as well as the technique’s invasive nature, have led to its rare use in purely diagnostic settings. Ultrasonography is currently a first-line technique used for the diagnosis in patients with clinically suspected DVT because of operation convenience, low cost, and high diagnostic sensitivity (94%) and specificity (98%). However, the disadvantages of ultrasound include operator dependence, limited visualization in the pelvis station, and an inability to differentiate the phases of thrombus. Cardiovascular MRI may serve as an alternative or complementary imaging tool to ultrasound. Previous studies have demonstrated that contrast-enhanced MR venography is reliable for assessing deep and superficial venous systems and has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting DVT. However, this technique may be contraindicated in patients with an allergy to gadolinium, and in pregnancy or severe renal dysfunction.

Following this activity, learners will be able to describe the limitations of current imaging techniques for the diagnosis of DVT; understand the underlying mechanisms of BBTI for detecting acute thrombus; and describe the advantages and disadvantages of BBTI when compared to contrast-enhanced MR venography.

Accreditation Statement
The Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
The Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Instructions for Claiming CME

• Attend the sessions in full for which credit is sought
• Complete the post-activity evaluation
• A certificate of completion will be available once the evaluation is submitted

Financial Disclosures
The planners and faculty for this activity did not have any relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Commercial Support
SCMR received funding to support this activity from the following organizations:

Bibliography
Please see the bibliography at the end of the journal article.