Magnetic resonance angiography of the extracranial carotid arteries and intracranial vessels: a review.
MRI is uniquely suited for evaluation of vascular structures due to its sensitivity to a variety of flow-related phenomena. Recent work has demonstrated that high quality magnetic resonance angiograms (MRA) of the carotid arteries and intracranial vasculature can be achieved by using gradient-echo techniques with short echo times. These MRAs are displayed like conventional arteriograms, but are acquired in a noninvasive fashion with a minimal increase in examination time. We used MRA to visualize 50 of 54 carotid bifurcations tested, with good correlation to the intra-arterial angiograms. We examined the intracranial vasculature in over 40 patients, and demonstrated aneurysms, vascular malformations, and occlusions.
Ross
J S
JS
Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, OH.
Masaryk
T J
TJ
Modic
M T
MT
Harik
S I
SI
Wiznitzer
M
M
Selman
W R
WR
D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008433:Mathematics; D013382:Subtraction Technique