Thorax: low-dose contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography with subsecond temporal resolution--initial results.
The purpose of the study was to implement a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) angiographic technique with acquisition times on the order of 800 msec with use of a spoiled gradient-echo pulse sequence (repetition time, 1.60 msec; echo time, 0.65 msec) and bolus intravenous injection of contrast material doses as small as 6 mL. High-spatial-resolution conventional MR angiography performed with 30 mL of gadopentetate dimeglumine was the reference standard. As implemented, subsecond 3D MR angiography allowed temporal sampling that was rapid enough to depict short-lived processes, as illustrated in patients with shunts and dissections. With small contrast material doses and subsecond frame rates, it is also possible to measure pulmonary arteriovenous circulation times with this 3D MR angiographic technique.
Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Medical School, 448 E Ontario St, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. pfinn@northwestern.edu
J Paul
JP
Finn
Visveshwar
V
Baskaran
James C
JC
Carr
Richard M
RM
McCarthy
F Scott
FS
Pereles
Randall
R
Kroeker
Gerhard A
GA
Laub
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA