Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the thoracic vasculature.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has become a useful non-invasive imaging technique for the assessment of vascular disease. Due to limitations such as respiratory motion artefacts, saturations problems, and long acquisition times, applications of MRA in the thorax have largely been restricted to imaging of the aorta. The recent introduction of breath-hold three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced MRA promises not only to enhance conventional MR protocols for aortic imaging, but to extend the clinical indications of MRI to diseases affecting other vascular structures of the thorax, most notably the pulmonary arteries. This article describes the technical aspects of contrast-enhanced 3D MRA and reviews existing and potential future clinical applications.
Leung
D A
DA
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Zürich University Hospital, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
Debatin
J F
JF
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA