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.
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.
Tanaka
Tatsurou
T
Department of Oral Diagnostic Science, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Morimoto
Yasuhiro
Y
Takano
Hiroshi
H
Tominaga
Kazuhiro
K
Kito
Shinji
S
Okabe
Sachiko
S
Takahashi
Tetsu
T
Fukuda
Jin-ichi
J
Ohba
Takeshi
T
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