Gadofosveset Trisodium and TWIST for the Evaluation of Pediatric Head and Neck Soft Tissue Vascular Anomalies

We review the clinical application of MR imaging by using the novel BPA, gadofosveset trisodium, in combination with high-temporal-resolution DCE-MRA in a spectrum of common soft tissue vascular anomalies of the head and neck in children. High-quality diagnostic DCE-MRA can be rapidly performed by using blood-pool MR imaging contrast agents in children. The most distinctive advantages in the pediatric population include the ability to use approximately one-third of the regular Gd-DTPA dose and the ability to obtain highly diagnostic images even if the bolus timing is suboptimal or early arterial images are affected by artifacts or motion. While sonography is an alternative to MR imaging as a radiation-free technique, DCE-MRA provides 3D angiographic data with important information for diagnosis and treatment planning. The excellent imaging quality is shown in examples of soft-tissue vascular anomalies of the head and neck in children.