title: Whole body MR angiography screening.
abstract: Lack of side effects, diagnostic accuracy and recent improvements in technology qualify magnetic resonance imaging for preventive cardiovascular imaging. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive contrast-enhanced three-dimensional whole-body MR (magnetic resonance) angiography examination technique using a rolling table platform system with a 1.5-T MR system. The examination yielded diagnostic image quality in 5312 out of 5400 (98.3%) evaluated vascular segments in 180 consecutive patients with peripheral vascular disease. Besides the proved peripheral vascular disease, additional relevant vascular disease was found in 65 vessel segments in 42 patients: carotid artery stenosis (n=21), subclavian artery stenosis (n=5), renal artery stenosis (n=27) abdominal aortic aneurysm (n=7), aortic dissection (n=5). In 20 patients additional imaging studies confirmed the results of whole-body MRA without false positive or false negative findings. The described whole-body MR angiography protocol appears well suited for comprehensive evaluation of the arterial system beyond the peripheral vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7206, USA. sruehm@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Stefan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ruehm
authors.forename: Susanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Goehde
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goyen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D013349:Subclavian Steal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media