Magnetic resonance angiography with midsagittal saturation for the assessment of blood flow from superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with midsagittal saturation for depiction of superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass flow.


METHODS
Eleven patients undergoing bypass surgery in 13 regions were examined by external carotid artery angiography (ECAG) and 3-dimensional time-of-flight MRA with saturation pulse applied to the midsagittal plane covering the internal carotid arteries. We classified the extent of visualization of bypass flow into 4 types and examined the agreement of findings between them.


RESULTS
The MRA revealed types of bypass flow in agreement with those observed on ECAG in 10 of the 13 regions. The MRA underestimated bypass flow in 2 regions and overestimated it in 1 region.


CONCLUSIONS
The MRA with midsagittal saturation demonstrated bypass flow in agreement with ECAG in most cases. Application of MRA with midsagittal saturation permits noninvasive assessment of physiological flow from superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass for a postoperative follow-up.
Akashi
Toshiaki
T
Department of Radiology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan. t-akashi@naramed-u.ac.jp
Taoka
Toshiaki
T
Miyasaka
Toshiteru
T
Myochin
Kaoru
K
Sakamoto
Masahiko
M
Takayama
Katsutoshi
K
Nakagawa
Hiroyuki
H
Kichikawa
Kimihiko
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007479:Iopamidol; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol