[MR angiography of the supraaortic vessels].
OBJECTIVE
To compare high resolution contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the assessment of supraaortic vessel stenosis.


METHODS
14 patients with suspicion of cerebrovascular disease or upper limb ischemia underwent selective DSA and high resolution contrast enhanced MRA employing a new Panoramic-Array coil. Stenosis assessment in comparison to DSA followed NASCET criteria. Additionally signal-/noise ratios (SNR) were evaluated to assess contrast enhancement.


RESULTS
Diagnostic image quality was achieved in all patients. Sensitivity and specificity for assessing high-grade stenosis of the supraaortic vessels were 100% and 96% respectively. In the assessment of high-grade common or internal carotid artery stenosis sensitivity and specificity was 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
High resolution contrast enhanced supraaortic MRA combined with new coil systems allow for a reliable assessment of stenoses along the whole vessel course including the aortic arch. Previous stent procedures limit its use in postinterventional follow-up.
Wintersperger
B J
BJ
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum der Universität München, Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität. wintersperger@ikra.med.uni-muenchen.de
Huber
A
A
Preissler
G
G
Holzknecht
N
N
Helmberger
T
T
Petsch
R
R
Billing
A
A
Scheidler
J
J
Reiser
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA