Abdominal and pelvic MR angiography.
Currently, 3T MR scanners hold 10% of the market with rising market share. Angiographic exams in particular benefit directly from the higher field strength. The theoretically doubled signal-to-noise ratio at 3T allows for abdominal magnetic-resonance angiography (MRA) exams with submillimeter spatial resolution with acquisition times of less than 20 seconds. Because of altered longitudinal relaxation times, MRA exams can be performed with a significantly reduced amount of contrast agents. This review describes the current technical concepts and outlines typical sequence parameters for abdominal and pelvic MRA. The choice of contrast agents for abdominal MRA is discussed in detail. This article also provides an outlook to new technical concepts that are already at the horizon of MRA.
Michaely
Henrik J
HJ
Institute of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim-University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany. henrik.michaely@rad.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Attenberger
Ulrike I
UI
Kramer
Harald
H
Nael
Kambiz
K
Reiser
Maximilian F
MF
Schoenberg
Stefan O
SO
D000005:Abdomen / Q000098:blood supply*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media