MR Visualization of Aortic Valve Vegetations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to describe the MR findings of aortic vegetations in two patients. METHOD: MR imaging using SE and fast GE (Fastcard) sequences was performed in the axial and coronal planes. RESULTS: The vegetations were not visible with SE MRI, but were clearly visible with fast GE imaging (Fastcard). The vegetations appeared as areas of low signal at valve leaflets in contrast to the bright flowing blood. CONCLUSION: MR evaluation in patients with infective endocarditis is useful in clarifying echocardiographic findings and establishing the diagnosis in previously undiagnosed patients.