title: Selection of patients for carotid thromboendarterectomy: the role of magnetic resonance angiography.
abstract: It has been shown in clinical trials that patients with high grade symptomatic carotid stenosis benefit from carotid thromboendarterectomy. Because of the invasiveness and the costs of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography, the current standard of reference for the grading of carotid stenosis, magnetic resonance angiography, has become a technique of utmost interest for evaluation of the carotid arteries. The time-of-flight and the newly developed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography techniques are discussed. At present, we recommend computer enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for screening procedures and for the post-operative follow-up. For pre-operative evaluation we still recommend intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kantonsspital/University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bongartz
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Radü
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media