[Contrast medium-enhanced MR angiography of the pelvic and leg vessels with an automated table-feed technique].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (ceMRA) with an automated table-feed technique in patients with arterio-occlusive disease for imaging of the pelvic and peripheral arteries.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients underwent three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography in a three-step automatic table-feed technique on a Magnetom Symphony operating at 1.5 Tesla. Maximum intensity projection images (MIP) were generated from the subtracted and original studies. Image quality and venous contrast were evaluated by two groups of observers. 304 vessels (17 patients) were compared with DSA as the standard of reference.


RESULTS
All examinations were performed without any technical problems. Diagnostic quality of the MIP of subtracted data sets was superior to that of the unsubtracted images. Venous overlay was 61% in the lower leg. In a total of 599 observations, a sensitivity of 96% (95%, 82%) and a specificity of 87% (88%, 99%) were high compared to DSA in the detection of significant stenoses > or = 50% (> or = 75%, occlusions). Interobserver correlation was good (linear correlation 0.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Stepping-table digital subtraction contrast enhanced MRA is a promising technique in the diagnosis of peripheral arterio-occlusive disease.
Lenhart
M
M
Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Klinikum, Universität Regensburg. Markus.Lenhart@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Djavidani
B
B
Völk
M
M
Strotzer
M
M
Manke
C
C
Requardt
M
M
Nitz
W R
WR
Kasprzak
P
P
Feuerbach
S
S
Link
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA