Background suppression using magnetization preparation for contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography of the pelvic and lower leg arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate non-slab-selective magnetization preparation in contrast-enhanced 3D-MR angiography.


METHODS
An ultrafast spoiled mr angiography sequence (FLASH) with non-selective inversion prepulses for background suppression was implemented on a 1.5 T MR system. In 11 patients gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced mr-angiography of the pelvic and lower leg arteries was performed using the AngioSURF device. Source data was evaluated for contrast-to-noise-ratio, image quality and the extent of background suppression.


RESULTS
Background suppression and selective vessel contrast was excellent in all vascular levels. The mr protocol was comfortable and easy-to-handle. Abandonment of precontrast-series acquisition simplified the examination procedure markedly.


CONCLUSIONS
Magnetization preparation provides efficient suppression of the background signal in contrast-enhanced 3D mr angiography of the pelvic and lower leg arteries. Since no subtraction technique is needed, moving-bed and whole body MRA-protocols can be simplified significantly.
Winterer
J T
JT
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Freiburg, Germany. jan.winterer@klinikum.uni-freiburg.de
Strecker
R
R
Lohrmann
C
C
Schaefer
O
O
Ghanem
N
N
Bley
T
T
Kotter
E
E
Lehnhardt
S
S
Hennig
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine