Distal lower extremity arteries: evaluation with two-dimensional MR digital subtraction angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that magnetic resonance (MR) digital subtraction angiography is superior to two-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography for demonstration of patent arteries in the distal lower extremity.


METHODS
Thirty-seven lower extremities in 23 consecutive patients were imaged with two-dimensional TOF MR angiography and two-dimensional MR digital subtraction angiography. Images were interpreted in a randomized and blinded manner. Each lower extremity was subdivided into seven potential arterial segments. The number of digital arteries visualized was also determined. Overall image quality of MR digital subtraction and TOF angiograms was compared. The relative ability of MR digital subtraction angiography and TOF MR angiography to demonstrate patent arterial segments was assessed.


RESULTS
MR digital subtraction angiography was significantly superior to TOF MR angiography for demonstration of patent arterial segments and digital arteries (P < .001). MR digital subtraction angiographic images were qualitatively superior to TOF images (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Two-dimensional MR digital subtraction angiography is superior to two-dimensional TOF MR angiography for help in identifying patent segments in the distal lower extremity.
Lee
H M
HM
Department of Radiology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Wang
Y
Y
Sostman
H D
HD
Schwartz
L H
LH
Khilnani
N M
NM
Trost
D W
DW
Ramirez de Arellano
E
E
Teeger
S
S
Bush
H L
HL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000098:blood supply; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply*; D005529:Foot Bones / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D014034:Toes / Q000098:blood supply