Evaluation of breath-hold contrast-enhanced 3D magnetic resonance angiography technique for imaging visceral abdominal arteries and veins.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic value of breath-hold contrast-enhanced 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for assessment of the visceral abdominal arteries and veins in patients with suspected abdominal neoplasms.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients underwent MR imaging on a 1.5 T unit using a body phased-array coil. MRA was performed with a 3D-FLASH sequence (TR 3.8 ms, TE 1.3 ms, flip angle 25 degrees, acquisition time 20 seconds), 8 to 12 seconds after an intravenous bolus injection of Gd-DTPA. The acquisition delay between the arterial and the portal venous phase was 12 seconds. The image quality and the degree of vascular involvement were evaluated using coronal source images and maximum intensity projection reconstructions. Diagnosis was confirmed by surgery/histology.


RESULTS
Image quality was optimal in more than 85% of the patients (19/21 arterial phase and 17/21 portal venous phase). MRA correctly predicted vascular status in 20 of 21 patients (95%), with complete concordance between MRA results and surgical findings. In one patient with chronic pancreatitis, MRA demonstrated a false-positive finding that could not be confirmed surgically. CONCLUSIONS. Breath-hold contrast-enhanced 3D-MRA is a valuable technique for assessing visceral abdominal arteries and veins.
Sadick
M
M
Institute of Clinical Radiology, Klinikum Mannheim, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim-University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Diehl
S J
SJ
Lehmann
K J
KJ
Gaa
J
J
Möckel
R
R
Georgi
M
M
D000005:Abdomen / Q000098:blood supply*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA