Non-gadolinium dynamic angiography of the neurovasculature using arterial spin labeling MRI: preliminary experience in children.
OBJECTIVE
We demonstrate the potential clinical utility of a 4D non-gadolinium dynamic angiography technique based on arterial spin-labeling called contrast inherent inflow enhanced multi-phase angiography (CINEMA) in pediatric patients.


METHODS
CINEMA was qualitatively compared to conventional time-of-flight (TOF) angiography in a cohort of 31 pediatric patients at 3 Tesla.


RESULTS
CINEMA data were successfully acquired and reconstructed in all patients with no image artifacts. There were no cases where CINEMA was rated inferior to TOF in depicting intracranial vessel conspicuity. In 19 cases, CINEMA was rated equivalent to TOF and in the 12 remaining cases CINEMA was rated superior to TOF.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a steadily rising concern in adults and children over the potential effects of intracranial deposition of gadolinium. CINEMA is therefore a viable alternative in dynamic neurovascular imaging.
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA. hhu1@phoenixchildrens.com.
Houchun H
HH
Hu
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.
Amber L
AL
Pokorney
Philips HealthTech, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Niccolo
N
Stefani
Philips HealthTech, Dallas, TX, USA.
Jonathan M
JM
Chia
Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.
Jeffrey H
JH
Miller
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013113:Spin Labels
D003287:Contrast Media; D013113:Spin Labels; D005682:Gadolinium
Dynamic arterial spin labeling; Intracranial vasculature; Non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography; Pediatric