Comparison of 3D-diffusion-prepared segmented steady-state free precession and 2D fast spin echo imaging of femoral artery atherosclerosis.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a promising modality for the in vivo detection and characterization of atherosclerotic lesions in peripheral arteries. 2D imaging techniques for evaluation of peripheral artery disease (PAD) suffer from poor spatial coverage and have long scan times. The purpose of this study was to compare a diffusion prepared dark blood 3D steady state free precession (3D-DP-SSFP) sequence for evaluating atherosclerotic plaque burden in inguinal and thigh segments of the femoral artery and comparing the results obtained with 2D turbo spin echo (2D-TSE) techniques. A further goal of the study was to examine the inter observer reproducibility of MR plaque burden measures using the 3D DP-SSFP technique. Results of the study indicated higher signal to noise ratios for the 3D-DP-SSFP technique and higher CNR (better vessel-wall delineation) compared to the 2D-TSE technique. Furthermore, a good correlation between 3D-DP-SSFP and 2D-TSE techniques for the inguinal segment but poorer correlation for the thigh segment was observed. Inter-observer reproducibility for the 3D plaque burden measures was excellent. 3D-DP-SSFP may be a useful and reproducible technique for evaluating atherosclerosis in peripheral arteries.
Hayashi
Katsumi
K
Imaging Science Laboratories, Room BM24, Department of Radiology, Box 1234, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Mani
Venkatesh
V
Nemade
Ajay
A
Silvera
Stephane
S
Fayad
Zahi A
ZA
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results