[Magnetic resonance angiography of the carotid artery: effect of short and ultra-short echo times].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of short and ultrashort echo times (TE) on the magnetic resonance (MR) signal in the carotid sinus and in carotid artery stenoses.


METHODS
High resolution gradient-echo sequences without and with flow compensation using TE's ranging from 1.5 to 8.0 ms were compared on phantoms, eight healthy volunteers, and 10 patients with moderate and severe carotid artery stenoses.


RESULTS
MR sequences with shortest TE's provided the best visualisation of stenotic regions in the carotid sinus and demonstrated a substantial reduction of signal loss due to spin dephasing in both phantom and patient studies. This was made possible using an improved gradient system with higher gradient strengths and shorter rise times with lower acquisition bandwidths and better signal-to-noise ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
MR sequences with short and ultrashort TE's enable a better definition of the stenotic region and therefore guide adequate therapeutic decisions.
Müller
M F
MF
Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie, Universität Bern, Inselspital.
Wielopolski
P
P
Teich-Siewert
B
B
Edelman
R R
RR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
Magnetresonanz-Angiographie der Aa. carotides: Einfluss kurzer und ultrakurzer Echozeiten.