Iliac artery evaluation with two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography: update.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, performed with state-of-the-art equipment, in the evaluation of the iliac arteries.


METHODS
The iliac arteries of 50 patients undergoing conventional arteriography for evaluation of lower-extremity ischemia or abdominal aortic aneurysm were also imaged with axial 2D TOF MR angiography. Blinded interpretations of conventional arteriograms and MR angiograms were compared. MR angiography was performed with a 1.5-T system with 2-mm contiguous axial sections, 60 degrees flip angle, 28-msec repetition time, and 7.4-msec echo time.


RESULTS
Blinded interpretations of 2D TOF MR angiograms matched those of conventional arteriograms in 26 of 50 patients (52%). For the diagnosis of obstructive iliac artery lesions, sensitivity and specificity with MR angiography were 85% and 59%, respectively. Two of three saccular iliac artery aneurysms escaped detection with MR angiography.


CONCLUSIONS
Iliac artery evaluation with axial 2D TOF MR angiography is not sufficiently accurate to warrant its use as a replacement for conventional arteriography in patients who lack contraindications to the latter.
Snidow
J J
JJ
Department of Radiology, Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis 46202-5253, USA.
Harris
V J
VJ
Johnson
M S
MS
Cikrit
D F
DF
Lalka
S G
SG
Sawchuk
A P
AP
Trerotola
S O
SO
D000792:Angiography; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D017543:Iliac Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity