MR angiography of the cerebral perforating arteries with magnetization prepared anatomical reference at 7 T: comparison with time-of-flight.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol that visualizes both the perforating arteries and the related anatomy in a single acquisition at 7 T.


METHODS
T(1)-weighted magnetization prepared imaging (MPRAGE) was empirically modified for use as angiography method at 7 T. The resulting sequence depicts the vasculature simultaneously with the surrounding anatomical structures, and is referred to as "magnetization prepared anatomical reference MRA" (MPARE-MRA). The method was compared to time-of-flight (TOF) MRA in seven healthy subjects. The conspicuity of the perforating arteries and the contrast between gray and white matter were evaluated both quantitatively by contrast-to-noise (CNR) measurements, and qualitatively by two radiologists who scored the images.


RESULTS
The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between blood and background was 28 +/- 9 for MPARE-MRA and 35 +/- 16 for TOF-MRA, indicating good conspicuity of the vessels. CNR values were: internal capsule (IC) vs. caudate head (CH): 4.2 +/- 0.7; IC vs. putamen: 3.5 +/- 0.6; white matter vs. gray matter: 9.7 +/- 2.5.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefits of ultra-high-field MRI can transform MPRAGE into a new angiography method to image small vessels and associated parenchyma at the same time. This technique can be used to study the correlation between tissue damage and vascular pathology.
Zwanenburg
Jaco J M
JJ
Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands. j.j.m.zwanenburg@umcutrecht.nl
Hendrikse
Jeroen
J
Takahara
Taro
T
Visser
Fredy
F
Luijten
Peter R
PR
D000328:Adult; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged