[Radial k-scanning for real-time MR imaging of central and peripheral pulmonary vasculature].
OBJECTIVE
To depict the central and peripheral pulmonary vessel anatomy with real-time radial MR scanning without respiratory control.


METHODS
Three healthy volunteers and one patient with pulmonary embolism proven by spiral CT angiography were studied with a 1.5 T MR imaging system. First, a breath-hold, contrast-enhanced MR angiography was performed for comparison of accuracy. Gradient echo images (TR 16 ms, TE 4 ms, flip angle 18 degrees) were obtained applying a combination of radial scanning and the sliding window reconstruction technique. A dedicated back-projector allowed data reconstruction in real-time with a frame rate of 20 images per second. Scanning was performed during free breathing.


RESULTS
The described technique depicted the central and peripheral portions of the normal pulmonary anatomy with comparable image quality as the 3D contrast-enhanced angiography. Visualization of the pulmonary emboli as demonstrated by spiral CT was possible.


CONCLUSIONS
Real-time radial scanning allows promising image acquisition of the pulmonary vasculature without respiratory control. Further technical improvements and clinical trials are required to evaluate its role in the diagnosis of vascular pathologies.
Haage
P
P
Klinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, RWTH Aachen. haage@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Bücker
A
A
Krüger
S
S
Adam
G
G
Glowinski
A
A
Schäffter
T
T
Weiss
S
S
van Vaals
J J
JJ
Günther
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed