[Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of abdominal vessels using a 1.0 T system].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of breath-hold, three-dimensional, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography with a 1.0 T system for imaging the abdominal vessels in comparison to conventional arteriography (CA).


METHODS
The abdominal aorta and visceral arteries were studied in 54 patients (60 examinations) on a 1.0 T scanner using an ultrafast gadolinium-enhanced gradient-echo sequence with the following parameters: TR/TE = 3.8/1.4 ms, flip angel 25 degrees, matrix 198 x 256, field 380-420 mm, pixel size 1.9 x 1.48 mm2, slice thickness 1.5-2.5 mm, acquisition time 22-26 sec. Individual circulation times were determined by a test bolus before each MR angiography. Conventional arteriography was performed in 23 of the 60 cases.


RESULTS
172 vessel segments of 23 MR angiographies were compared with CA, sensitivity and specificity were 96.4% and 97.2%. Over-estimations of stenoses or occlusions (n = 4) were caused by the limited resolution of small vessel branches and one stent artifact.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the abdominal vessels may replace invasive digital subtraction angiography in certain cases like perioperative or peri-interventional diagnostics. Imaging of small peripheral vessels remains a problem and limits use of the method.
Oberholzer
K
K
Klinik für Radiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. oberholz@radiologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Kreitner
K F
KF
Kalden
P
P
Pitton
M
M
Requardt
M
M
D000005:Abdomen / Q000098:blood supply*; D000792:Angiography; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014781:Viscera / Q000098:blood supply
D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium