The feasibility of spatial high-resolution magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries at 3.0 T.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of high-spatial resolution magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries at 3.0 T.


METHODS
Twelve healthy volunteers (mean age, 38.8 years) underwent renal MRA at 3.0 T. The application of parallel imaging with an acceleration factor of 3 allowed obtaining MR angiographic data with a voxel size of 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.9 mm in scan time of only 16 s. A dose of 0.2 mmol/kg body weight of 0.5-molar gadodiamide was administered at a flow rate of 2 ml/s. For image analysis, image quality, presence of artifacts, venous contamination and level of noise were rated by two radiologists in consensus.


RESULTS
All examinations were of diagnostic quality. The image quality was rated good or very good in 91 % (11/12) of cases. Due to the high parallel imaging factor the level of noise was slightly increased without diagnostic impairment. Mild venous enhancement was found in 75 % (9/12) of the examinations.


CONCLUSIONS
Renal MRA at 3.0 T is feasible with high spatial resolution and a short acquisition time.
Michaely
H J
HJ
Institut für klinische Radiologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81337 München. henrik.michaely@med.uni-muenchen.de
Nael
K
K
Schoenberg
S O
SO
Finn
J P
JP
Laub
G
G
Reiser
M F
MF
Ruehm
S G
SG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology*