Aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries: comparison of three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography and conventional angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical feasibility of three-dimensional dynamic contrast agent-enhanced subtraction magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in patients with symptoms of lower extremity ischemia.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients suspected of having lower extremity ischemia underwent three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography of the aortoiliac arteries and arteries of the lower extremity. As the reference standard, conventional angiography was also performed. For data analysis, the arterial system was divided into 10 segments. Each segment was classified as normal, mildly stenosed, moderately stenosed, severely stenosed, or occluded.


RESULTS
At conventional angiography, 83 stenosed segments (14 mildly stenosed, 16 moderately stenosed, 14 severely stenosed, and 39 occluded) were identified in a total of 423 segments. For the segments with more than mild stenosis, MR angiography was 97.1% sensitive and 99.2% specific.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography has high sensitivity and specificity. This technique is a noninvasive alternative to conventional angiography for screening patients suspected of having lower extremity ischemia.
Sueyoshi
E
E
Department of Radiology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
Sakamoto
I
I
Matsuoka
Y
Y
Ogawa
Y
Y
Hayashi
H
H
Hashmi
R
R
Hayashi
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique
D003287:Contrast Media