[Contrast media-enhanced 3D MR angiography of the peripheral vessels using a "tracking technique": preliminary results].
OBJECTIVE
A single bolus contrast-enhanced (CE) 3D MR angiography (MRA) of the peripheral vessels was evaluated using a combination of two surface coils with manual incrementation of the patient table.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease were examined using an ultrafast CE 3D MRA (TR/ TE/FA 5 ms/2 ms/30 degrees). For imaging of the vessels from the distal aorta to the arteries of the lower limbs a combination of a body-array coil and a flexible extremity coil was applied. A coil-interface was designed for a connection of the two coils. The examinations were performed after a single bolus of 0.15 mmol Gd-DTPA/kg. The tracking technique included a manual incrementation of the patient table and the coil-interface had to be switched from the body-array coil to the flexible extremity coil. For acquisition delay measurement of the MR sequence the individual transit times of the contrast material were detected by using a test bolus.


RESULTS
CE 3D MRA was technically successful in 14/15 cases. In one case two vascular segments were not imaged. The qualitative evaluation of all vascular segments documented a high quality without any significant differences between the proximal and the distal arteries (p < 0.05). All hemodynamically significant stenoses (n = 15) and all vessel occlusions (n = 36) were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
The single bolus CE 3D MRA using a tracking technique is a favourable method in the evaluation of patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
Vosshenrich
R
R
Abt. Röntgendiagnostik I, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen.
Castillo
E
E
Kopka
L
L
Rodenwaldt
J
J
Grabbe
E
E
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
Kontrastmittelgestützte 3D-MR-Angiographie der peripheren Gefässe in "Schrittverschiebe-Technik": Erste Ergebnisse.