Gadolinium susceptibility artifact causing false positive stenosis isolated to the proximal common carotid artery in 3D dynamic contrast medium enhanced MR angiography of the thorax--a brief review of causes and prevention.

Due to the close proximity of arteries and veins in the superior mediastinum and upper extremities, T2* shortening effects of the gadolinium within the central veins may cause artifactual vascular stenosis (susceptibility artifact) on arterial-phase MR angiographic images of the major branches of the aortic arch. We report a case of artifactual stenosis isolated to the origin of the left common carotid artery on arterial-phase MR angiography, secondary to susceptibility artifact from non-diluted gadolinium in the adjacent brachiocephalic vein. The cause of the artifact, its identification and prevention is reviewed.