Optimized time-resolved 3D contrast-enhanced MRA at 3T: appreciating the feasibility of assessing cervical paragangliomas.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an optimized 3D time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR angiography (3D TR-CE-MRA) at 3T in diagnosing head and neck paragangliomas and assessing their morphology and relation to neighboring vessels.


METHODS
In a prospective study, eight consecutive patients presenting cranial cervical masses suspected to be 10 paragangliomas were examined with 3D TR-CE-MRA at 3T. Two neuroradiologists evaluated the overall image quality, the presence of a paraganglioma, the maximum diameter, as well as the vessel invasion.


RESULTS
In all of the cases, the overall image quality was scored as good. The tumors (n=10) were all visualized and localized. The mean maximum diameter was 32.7mm [range 7-80]. Vessel invasion was assessed as uncertain in one case and improbable in nine cases.


CONCLUSIONS
3D TR-CE-MRA at 3T associated with conventional sequences facilitates a comprehensive investigation of paragangliomas, thus providing the anatomical and functional information.
Department of Neuroradiology, CHU Pontchaillou, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35000 Rennes, France. jean-christophe.ferre@chu-rennes.fr
J-C
JC
Ferré
J-F
JF
Brunet
B
B
Carsin-Nicol
A
A
Larralde
B
B
Godey
J-Y
JY
Gauvrit
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology