High-resolution imaging of the intracranial arterial and venous systems following a single contrast injection.
OBJECTIVE
To generate two separate three-dimensional (3D) high spatial resolution images of the intracranial arterial and venous systems using a single contrast injection.


METHODS
A 3D contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) acquisition was modified to create two separate k-space data sets to encode the arterial and venous enhancement signals individually after contrast agent injection. Following an automated detection of contrast arrival, the central k-space views corresponding to the arterial phase were acquired for the first eight seconds. A full elliptical-centric acquisition was then acquired for the venous phase and the missing views in the periphery of the first k-space data set were copied from the venous phase. A total of 18 patients underwent this study. Image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were determined in both intracranial systems.


RESULTS
Two 3D image sets were generated for the arterial and venous intracranial systems. Both sets have high quality images that are clinically diagnostic. SNR and CNR were high in both sets, so that all the major vessels were visible.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique provides images with high spatial resolution for both arterial and venous intracranial systems using a single contrast injection.
Al-Kwifi
Osama
O
Department of Imaging Research, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. osama@sten.sunnybrook.utoronto.ca
Shelef
Ilan
I
Farb
Richard I
RI
Stainsby
Jeffrey
J
Wright
Graham A
GA
D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013382:Subtraction Technique
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA