[Ultrafast contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography of the aorta and renal arteries in apnea].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of ultrafast, gadolinium-enhanced, three-dimensional breathhold magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the assessment of the aorta and renal arteries in comparison to conventional arteriography (CA).


METHODS
49 patients (31 m, 18 f) were evaluated with both CA and 3D MRA. The 3D MRA data set consisted of 44 continuous sections, acquired in apnoea (23-28 s) using the following parameters: TR/TE 3.9/1.5 ms, flip angle 40 degrees, 3/4 k-space acquisition. 0.3 mmol/kg BW gadolinium-DTPA were administered intravenously in a bolus, using an automated injector. A test bolus method was used for timing of the bolus and beginning of the data acquisition. Intraarterial CA was used as the gold standard in 47 patients; in two patients the intraoperative findings were employed as the standard of reference. CA and MRA were interpreted separately by two different radiologists, who were blinded to the results of the other examiner.


RESULTS
All 11 accessory renal arteries were visualised on MRA. MRA-based assessment of renal artery stenosis was identical with CA in 31 of 41 (75%) stenoses, Sensitivity and specificity values for assessment of renal arterial disease were 84.4% and 96.1%, for haemodynamically significant lesions they amounted to 90% and 98.9%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The presented ultrafast contrast-enhanced 3D MRA technique allows for the reliable assessment of aortic and renal arterial morphology and pathology.
Hany
T F
TF
Departement Medizinische Radiologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
Pfammatter
T
T
Schmidt
M
M
Leung
D A
DA
Debatin
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001049:Apnea; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007089:Image Enhancement; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D005682:Gadolinium