[Contrast media-enhanced 3D MR angiography of peripheral arteries using an automatic tracking technique at 1.0 Tesla].
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of the value of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (ceMRA) using an automatic tracking technique at 1.0 Tesla in comparison with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the pelvic and lower limb arteries.


METHODS
In 15 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease a ceMRA (3D FLASH, TR/TE = 6.2/2.3 ms, Flip angle alpha = 30 degrees, Matrix 170 x 256) using a new automatic tracking technique was accomplished. The reference method was DSA. Twenty-one vessel segments of each patient were graded as normal, stenosed (> 50%) or occluded. Image material was evaluated independently by two radiologists.


RESULTS
In comparison, the interobserver agreement showed a good (Cohen's kappa > 71%) concordance for 38% of the 21 vessel segments, a moderate (Cohen's kappa between 31%-70%) for 21% and a poor (Cohen's kappa < 30%) concordance for 38% of the 21 vessel segments. Regarding the MRA and DSA results, a good concordance was achieved for 62% of the 21 vessel segments, 14% showed a moderate concordance and 24% only a poor concordance.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease ceMRA using an automatic tracking technique enables a reliable evaluation of pelvis and upper limb arteries at 1.0 Tesla. However, a reliable evaluation of lower limb arteries is not yet possible.
Kalden
P
P
Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz. kalden@radiologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Kreitner
K F
KF
Oberholzer
K
K
Pitton
M
M
Krummenauer
F
F
Requardt
M
M
Thelen
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001331:Automation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D003287:Contrast Media
Kontrastmittelgestützte 3D-MR-Angiographie der Becken- und Beinarterien mit automatischer Tischverschiebung bei 1,0 Tesla.