Three-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography: a useful clinical adjunct to gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional renal magnetic resonance angiography?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of three-dimensional (3D) phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) after gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced 3D MRA for renal artery imaging.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with suspected renal artery hypertension were reviewed. All studies included Gd-enhanced 3D MRA and 3D PC MRA. Blinded interpretation of the images was performed for each technique independently and in combination. Conventional X-ray angiography was used for diagnostic correlation when available.


RESULTS
Renal artery stenosis was present in 7 (16.3%) of 43 renal arteries, confirmed by X-ray angiography. MRA images demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 74% specificity for Gd-enhanced 3D MRA and 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity for 3D PC MRA. All vessels were diagnosed correctly when both image sets were viewed.


CONCLUSIONS
3D PC MRA can improve the specificity of renal MRA by decreasing the number of false-positive Gd-enhanced 3D MRA interpretations.
Hood
Maureen N
MN
Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA.
Ho
Vincent B
VB
Corse
William R
WR
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012077:Renal Artery