Evaluation of fast highly undersampled contrast-enhanced MR angiography (sparse CE-MRA) in intracranial applications - initial study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the image quality of sparsely sampled contrast-enhanced MR angiography (sparse CE-MRA) providing high spatial resolution and whole-head coverage.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients scheduled for contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the head, (N = 19 with intracranial pathologies, N = 9 with vascular diseases), were included. Sparse CE-MRA at 3 Tesla was conducted using a single dose of contrast agent. Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated the data regarding vascular visibility and diagnostic value of overall 24 parameters and vascular segments on a 5-point ordinary scale (5 = very good, 1 = insufficient vascular visibility). Contrast bolus timing and the resulting arterio-venous overlap was also evaluated. Where available (N = 9), sparse CE-MRA was compared to intracranial Time-of-Flight MRA.


RESULTS
The overall rating across all patients for sparse CE-MRA was 3.50 ± 1.07. Direct influence of the contrast bolus timing on the resulting image quality was observed. Overall mean vascular visibility and image quality across different features was rated good to intermediate (3.56 ± 0.95). The average performance of intracranial Time-of-Flight was rated 3.84 ± 0.87 across all patients and 3.54 ± 0.62 across all features.


CONCLUSIONS
Sparse CE-MRA provides high-quality 3D MRA with high spatial resolution and whole-head coverage within short acquisition time. Accurate contrast bolus timing is mandatory.


CONCLUSIONS
• Sparse CE-MRA enables fast vascular imaging with full brain coverage. • Volumes with sub-millimetre resolution can be acquired within 10 seconds. • Reader's ratings are good to intermediate and dependent on contrast bolus timing. • The method provides an excellent overview and allows screening for vascular pathologies.
Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MR Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. marcel.gratz@uni-due.de.|High Field and Hybrid MR Imaging, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany. marcel.gratz@uni-due.de.
Marcel
M
Gratz
Neuroradiology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Giessen, Germany.|Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
Marc
M
Schlamann
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
Sophia
S
Goericke
Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MR Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Stefan
S
Maderwald
Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MR Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.|High Field and Hybrid MR Imaging, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
Harald H
HH
Quick
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D020765:Intracranial Arterial Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media
Contrast bolus timing; Contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA); Cranial vasculature; Parallel acquisition; Sparse data sampling