title: MR imaging of the thoracic aorta.
abstract: There are numerous pulse sequences available for evaluating the diverse pathology that affects the thoracic aorta. Preliminary imaging using TrueFISP and precontrast and postcontrast T1 GRE-FS is usually required to assess morphology of the aorta and adjacent structures. CE-MRA is the mainstay in the investigative approach. The addition of temporally resolved subsecond CE-MRA is particularly useful for assessing high-flow vascular lesions such as shunts, while at the same time not adding much to the overall contrast load. PC-MRA may help further characterize stenotic lesions and can be useful for monitoring progression of disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Medical School and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Feinberg 4-710, 251 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. jcarr@radiology.nwu.edu
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Finn
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*