Contrast-enhanced peripheral MR angiography at 3.0 Tesla: initial experience with a whole-body scanner in healthy volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To report preliminary experience with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) of the peripheral arteries on a 3.0 T whole-body scanner equipped with a prototype body coil.


METHODS
Four healthy volunteers were imaged on the 3.0 T system and, for comparative purposes, two of the subjects were also imaged on a commercially available 1.5 T whole-body system. To investigate field strength influence on objective image quality, signal-to-noise (SN) and contrast-to-noise (CN) ratios were calculated for named vessels from the infrarenal aorta to the ankles at both field strengths. Comparable imaging protocols were used at both field strengths. In addition, two reviewers, blinded for field strength, gave subjective image quality scores (three-point scale).


RESULTS
SN and CN ratios were approximately equal on both systems (variation < or =9%) for the iliac and proximal upper leg stations. For the popliteal and lower leg stations SN ratios were 36% and 97% higher, and CN ratios were 44% and 127% higher, at 3.0 T. Subjective image quality at 3.0 T was substantially better for the distal upper and lower legs.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrast-enhanced peripheral MRA is possible at 3.0 T when an imaging protocol similar to a current state-of-the-art 1.5 T protocol is used. Objective and subjective image quality at 3.0 T is comparable for the iliac and upper legs but better for the popliteal and lower leg arteries.
Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands. tleiner@caregroup.harvard.edu
Tim
T
Leiner
Marianne
M
de Vries
Romhild
R
Hoogeveen
G Boudewijn C
GB
Vasbinder
Etienne
E
Lemaire
Jos M A
JM
van Engelshoven
D000328:Adult; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA