Magnetic resonance imaging of spiral vein graft bypass of superior vena cava in fibrosing mediastinitis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for postoperative evaluation of spiral vein grafts in three patients with fibrosing mediastinitis who had undergone bypass of the superior vena cava (SVC) for SVC syndrome. The MRI images, obtained without ECG triggering, were compared retrospectively with postoperative bilateral arm venograms. Patent grafts were identified by MRI in all patients. Significant stenoses at innominate vein-spiral vein graft anastomoses in two patients were better demonstrated by venography than by MRI. MRI shows promise as a non-invasive technique for postoperative evaluation of spiral vein bypass grafts.