Peripheral vascular occlusive disease: accuracy and reliability of time-of-flight MR angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy and reliability of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography for identification of stenosis and patent distal vessels in patients with peripheral vascular disease.


METHODS
Two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography and conventional arteriography were performed in 22 patients. Four blinded radiologists independently graded multiple anatomic segments.


RESULTS
MR angiography allowed detection of more patent vessel segments than did conventional arteriography. For detection of significant stenosis (> 75%), MR angiography had 43%-67% sensitivity and 74%-89% specificity. Discrepancies in detection of significant stenosis occurred in 39 segments for the most accurate reviewer; 27 of these discrepancies were avoidable.


CONCLUSIONS
For detection of significant stenosis, MR angiography has low to moderate sensitivity and specificity; however, observer variability appears to be a major contributing factor to the discrepancies. Greater reviewer experience or techniques for improving reliability may improve the accuracy of MR angiography in peripheral vascular disease.
McCauley
T R
TR
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
Monib
A
A
Dickey
K W
KW
Clemett
J
J
Meier
G H
GH
Egglin
T K
TK
Gusberg
R J
RJ
Rosenblatt
M
M
Pollak
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity