title: Three-dimensional identification of hemangiomas and feeding arteries in the head and neck region using combined phase-contrast MR angiography and fast asymmetric spin-echo sequences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a proposed technique for the 3-dimensional (3D) detection of hemangiomas, including vascular malformation and their feeding arteries, in the head and neck. The new technique combines phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) without contrast medium and 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo (FASE) sequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  The technique was applied to 3 patients having hemangiomas in the head and neck region. In 1 patient the image obtained with the proposed technique was compared to that obtained by standard contrast angiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all 3 patients, the 3D presence of the hemangiomas and the feeding arteries were well defined in images created by the proposed technique. Additionally, the characterization of the hemangioma's 3D structure and distribution of the feeding arteries coincided with those observed using contrast angiography in the case for which contrast angiography was also performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary experience shows that the proposed technique combining 3D-FASE and 3D-PCMRA is useful to visualize both the 3D structure of hemangiomas and to identify the 3D distribution of the feeding arteries without using contrast medium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnostic Science, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsurou
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tominaga
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kito
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okabe
authors.forename: Tetsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Jin-ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography