Evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging of the inferior vena cava in patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis metastatic to the retroperitoneum

Objective To assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in evaluating suspected occlusion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in patients with abdominal nodal metastases from non-seminomatous germ cell tumours, thus giving information that may be helpful in planning surgery and for determining the need for anticoagulant therapy. Patients and methods Five patients with abdominal nodal metastases in whom occlusion of the IVC was suspected on computed tomography (CT) were imaged using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. The MRI findings were compared with those from CT. Results The MR images successfully and clearly detected partial and total occlusions of the IVC by both intraluminal thrombus and extrinsic compression. The technique also clearly detected extensive collateral venous circulation in several cases and in one a cavernous transformation of the IVC. in all patients, the MRI studies provided better information than that from CT. Conclusion MRI, and particularly MRA, is a comparatively new technique that is non-invasive and offers the potential of evaluating vascular structures with no need for ionizing radiation or contrast media. This technique, if available, should be chosen for imaging the IVC in patients suspected of having compression or occlusion of the IVC.