Exploring The Imaging Value Of 3D-SPACE MR Technique In Varicoseveins Of Lower Extremities

Purpose: To explore the value of 3D-SPACE MR technique in detecting varicose veins of lower extremities.Materials and Methods: From September 2018 to January 2019,17 consecutive patients,9 males;8 females;aged 49-70 years;mean age 57.8 years,who were suspected to have varicose veins of great saphenous veins in the lower extremitie were collected in our hospital.All patients underwent Doppler Ultrasonography of low limbs before or after SPACE MRI examination.The visualization score of great saphenous vein with SPACE MR was calculated by two observers according to a 4-point scale independently(1-4,poor-excellent).Interobserver agreement with venous visualization score of SPACE MR was analyzed by Wilcoxon Text.Based on the per limb,inter-observer agreement of detecting varicose veins in low limbs was analyzed.Besides,consistency between the performance in detecting varicose veins of two observers and the results of Ultrasound was analyzed.The contrast singal ratio between veins and muscles were measured and calculated at the varicose veins of the most obvious sites for twice.Consistency between the two measurements was calculated by using the intra-group correlation coefficient(ICC)and the results was analyzed.Results: The mean score of great saphenous vein was 3.71±0.59 and 3.47±0.62 for two radiologists respectively.There is a good consistency between the two observers(Z=-1.633,P>0.05).Based on per limb,23 of 34 great saphenous were diagnosed as varicose veins.Both of the two observers made the same diagnosis as color ultrasound for these varicose veins.Consistency of the contrast signal ratios of blood and muscle measured twice were analyzed by ICC,and the agreement between the two was good(ICC=0.921).Apart from this,in the imaging of SPACE MR,we also found the manifestations of thrombus and perforating veins with dysfunction were not diagnosed in Doppler ultrasound.Conclusions: As a non-contrast agent technology,SPACE MRV has a prominent vascular signal in the imaging of lower extremity veins,and the quality of the great saphenous vein in morphological is high.Based on morphological imaging,the initial diagnosis of varicose veins in the lower extremities can be achieved.At the same time,it also has a good performance for the detection of perforating veins and thrombus.It can be used as an assistant imaging examination tool to evaluate varicose veins of lower extremities with ultrasound.