Magnetic resonance angiography findings in the early post-carotid endarterectomy period.
This preliminary study was designed to investigate the ability of multiple axial volume three-dimensional fourier transform (3DFT) time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to depict the carotid bifurcation in the early post-carotid endarterectomy period. Five patients underwent intra-operative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and carotid MRA within 5 days of carotid endarterectomy. An axial volume fast imaging in steady-state precession (FISP) gradient-echo 3DFT TOF carotid MRA technique in this limited series appeared to display accurately the surgically significant abnormalities at the carotid bifurcation after endarterectomy. However, in normal or near-normal intra-operative DSA studies, overestimation of internal carotid artery stenoses was encountered. Postoperative MRA demonstrates potential as a useful non-invasive investigation after carotid endarterectomy but should be interpreted with caution until larger studies become available.
Stuckey
S L
SL
Department of Medical Imaging, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
Gilford
E J
EJ
Smith
P J
PJ
Kean
M
M
D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests