Magnetic resonance angiography of the forearm and hand in children.
A two-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography was performed in 29 arms in 25 pediatric patients with congenital hand abnormalities, whose average age was three years and eight months. Venous structures were eliminated with presaturation technique and the remaining arterial system was evaluated. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated major arteries in the forearm well but not their branches. Even the biggest branch of the artery sometimes could not be detected. Magnetic resonance angiography and Allen test were consistent in determining patency of the palmar arch in 62% of the cases but the sensitivity was only 28%. Our experience showed that non-invasive, convenient, two-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography was useful for detecting continuity and spatial localisation of the major arteries in a child's forearm. However, it was not a complete alternative to conventional angiography and was unsatisfactory in delineating the vascular anatomy in the hand.
Kawabata
H
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Medical Centre and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Japan. hk@mch.pref.osaka.jp
Matsui
Y
Y
Kitano
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology