Magnetic resonance imaging and MR angiography of endoluminally treated abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium-based contrast medium-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) for the follow-up of endoluminally treated abdominal aortic aneurysms.


METHODS
MRI/MRA, angiography and computed tomography (CT) were performed 1 month after endoluminal stent-graft placement. MRI/MRA was repeated at 6 and 12 months and angiography and CT were added to confirm unexpected findings.


METHODS
Fifteen male patients with endoluminally treated abdominal aortic aneurysms.


METHODS
MRI with MRA, spiral CT with transverse images and angiography were performed.


RESULTS
MRI/MRA demonstrated changes of stent-graft morphology, aortic neck- and aneurysmal diameter, stent-graft blood flow, stent-graft leakage, blood flow in lumbar arteries, intra-aneurysmal thrombus, periaortic inflammation and vertebral body infarction. For most of these features MRI/MRA provided more information than angiography and/or CT. MRI was the only method demonstrating thrombus reorganisation and vertebral body infarction.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI with MRA provides the relevant information needed for follow-up of endoluminally treated abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). This may be the method of choice because of its use of contrast media with very low nephrotoxicity, lack of ionising radiation and non-invasiveness.
Engellau
L
L
Dept. of Radiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Larsson
E M
EM
Albrechtsson
U
U
Jonung
T
T
Ribbe
E
E
Thörne
J
J
Zdanowski
Z
Z
Norgren
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003287:Contrast Media; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000098:blood supply; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium