Hybrid contrast-enhanced MR angiography of pelvic and lower extremity vasculature at 3.0 T: initial experience.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the lower extremities at 3.0 T system for assessment of high resolution images in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).


METHODS
21 Patients with suspected PAOD were examined with four-station MRA at a 3.0 T MR system. The MRA protocol consisted of a hybrid technique with two contrast media injections, the first one for visualization of the calf and foot vasculature (non-moving-table technique), the second one for imaging the aortoiliacal and femoral arteries (moving-table technique). For the femoropopliteal and calf station a randomly segmented central k-space ordering (contrast-enhanced timing-robust angiography [CENTRA]) was used. MR-images were analyzed independently by two radiologists with regard to image quality, venous overlap and grade of stenosis. In 6 patients digital subtraction angiography was performed within the following 7 days and evaluated by two radiologists in consensus with regard to the grade of stenosis. The vasculature-tree of each leg was divided in 12 segments, and 3 anatomical regions (iliacal, femoropopliteal, calf/foot).


RESULTS
490 and 488 of 495 arterial segments were visualized with diagnostic image quality by observer 1 and observer 2, respectively. Image quality was excellent in 470 and 457 arterial segments, respectively. Only 4 segments were rendered as non-diagnostic due to venous overlap. Relevant arterial stenoses (50-99%) were detected in 43 and 47 segments by observer 1 and observer 2, 66 and 65 arterial segments, respectively, were interpreted as occluded.


CONCLUSIONS
The hybrid MRA protocol at 3.0 T offers high diagnostic quality for the whole peripheral arterial tree without venous contamination at high spatial resolution.
Berg
Frank
F
Department of Radiology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924 Cologne, Germany. frank.berg@uk-koeln.de
Bangard
Christopher
C
Bovenschulte
Henning
H
Nijenhuis
Marco
M
Hellmich
Martin
M
Lackner
Klaus
K
Gossmann
Axel
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media