3.0-Tesla MR angiography of intracranial aneurysms: comparison of time-of-flight and contrast-enhanced techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether 3.0-T elliptical-centric contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is superior to 3.0-T elliptical-centric time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography in the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms, and to determine whether increasing the acquisition matrix size in 3.0-T CE MR angiography improves image quality.


METHODS
A total of 50 consecutive patients referred for MR angiographic evaluation of a known or suspected intracranial aneurysm underwent MR angiography, including three-dimensional TOF and elliptical-centric CE techniques at 3.0 T. The 3.0-T three-dimensional TOF and 3.0-T CE examinations were graded for image quality. A blind review identified the presence and location of aneurysms.


RESULTS
A total of 28 aneurysms were identified in 23 of the 50 patients. The 3.0-T TOF MR angiography had a higher mean score for image quality than the 3.0-T elliptical-centric CE MR angiography (P < 0.0001). A total of 14 patients with aneurysms had conventional angiography for comparison. The 3.0-T TOF showed all the aneurysms, whereas 3.0-T CE MR angiography did not show 1 of 19 aneurysms when conventional angiography was the reference standard.


CONCLUSIONS
For imaging intracranial aneurysms, 3.0-T TOF MR angiography offers better image quality than 3.0-T CE MR angiography using the elliptical-centric technique.
Gibbs
Gordon F
GF
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Huston
John
J
Bernstein
Matthew A
MA
Riederer
Stephen J
SJ
Brown
Robert D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D003287:Contrast Media