High-resolution carotid artery MRA. Comparison with fast dynamic acquistion and duplex ultrasound scanning.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) of the carotid arteries is improved by using a slow-injection, high-resolution technique.


METHODS
In 22 patients suspected to have internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis at duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS), CE-MRA was performed both with a fast, dynamic (8 s/phase) and with a slower, high-resolution technique (scan time 2:20 min).


RESULTS
There was conformity between the CE-MRA techniques regarding the degree of stenosis in 34/40 extracranial ICAs. In 3/6 discrepant cases, short occlusions were seen with the fast dynamic technique, whereas both the high-resolution CE-MRA technique and DUS showed patent vessels. There was an overall tendency toward higher stenosis grading with the dynamic technique. Overlying veins could be removed on a workstation in all high-resolution examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
The high-resolution carotid CE-MRA technique proposed herein seems to improve the diagnostic accuracy, at least for differentiation between high-grade stenoses and occlusions.
Wikström
J
J
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Johansson
L O
LO
Rossitti
S
S
Karacagil
S
S
Ahlström
H
H
D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
D003287:Contrast Media