[2-D-time-of-flight MR angiography of the peripheral blood vessels. Experimental and clinical studies on value of this method in arterial occlusive diseases].
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study was performed in 70 patients with peripheral vascular disease who underwent MR angiography of the lower extremity.


METHODS
MR angiography was performed with a 2-D-TOF sequence including a travelling presaturation to suppress the venous signal. Postprocessing images were obtained with the MIP algorithm. The MRA results were compared with conventional or digital angiography in all patients.


RESULTS
Only 19 stenoses out of 31 which showed a degree of stenosis between 30 and 99% could be visualised by MR angiography. 9 stenoses were correctly classified by MRA. In 9 cases the degree of stenosis was overestimated, in one case it was underestimated. All 56 occlusions were correctly detected. 12 severe stenoses diagnosed with conventional angiography were graded as occlusions with MR angiography.


CONCLUSIONS
MR angiography cannot be accepted in preoperative staging of patients with peripheral vascular disease. The postoperative examination seems to be a practical noninvasive alternative.
Vosshenrich
R
R
Abteilung Röntgendiagnostik I, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen.
Fischer
U
U
Funke
M
M
Grabbe
E
E
D000465:Algorithms; D000792:Angiography; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies