Low-Dose, Time-Resolved, Contrast-Enhanced 3D MR Angiography in the Assessment of the Abdominal Aorta and Its Major Branches at 3 Tesla

Kramer, Ulrich; Fenchel, Michael; Laub, Gerhard; Seeger, Achim; Klumpp, Bernhard; Bretschneider, Christiane; Finn, J. Paul; Claussen, Claus D.; Miller, Stephan

doi:10.1016/j.acra.2009.12.011

« Previous Next »Academic Radiology
Volume 17, Issue 5 , Pages 564-576, May 2010

Low-Dose, Time-Resolved, Contrast-Enhanced 3D MR Angiography in the Assessment of the Abdominal Aorta and Its Major Branches at 3 Tesla

Ulrich Kramer, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Address correspondence to: U.K.
Michael Fenchel, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Gerhard Laub, PhD
- Siemens Medical Solutions, Malvern, PA
Achim Seeger, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Bernhard Klumpp, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Christiane Bretschneider, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
J. Paul Finn, MD
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Claus D. Claussen, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Stephan Miller, MD
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

Received 22 September 2009; accepted 9 December 2009. published online 22 February 2010.

Rationale and Objectives

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose, contrast-enhanced (CE), time-resolved, three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the assessment of the abdominal aorta and its major branches at 3 T and to compare the results with those of high–spatial resolution CE MRA.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-two consecutive patients (eight men, 14 women; mean age, 43.9 ± 17.9 years) underwent CE time-resolved three-dimensional MRA and high–spatial resolution three-dimensional MRA. Studies were performed using a 3-T magnetic resonance system; gadolinium-based contrast medium was administered at a dose of 3 to 5 mL for time-resolved MRA, followed by 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine for single-phase CE MRA. For analysis purposes, the abdominal arterial system was divided into 11 arterial segments, and image quality as well as the presence and degree of vascular pathology were evaluated by two independent magnetic resonance radiologists.

Results

A total of 242 arterial segments were visualized with good image quality. Time-resolved MRA was able to visualize the majority of arterial segments with good definition in the diagnostic range. Vascular pathologies (stenosis, occlusion) or abnormal vascular anatomy was detected in 19 arterial segments, with good interobserver agreement (κ = 0.78). All image findings were detected with time-resolved CE MRA by both observers and were confirmed by correlative imaging.

Conclusion

Low-dose, time-resolved MRA at 3 T yields rapid and important anatomic and functional information in the evaluation of the abdominal vasculature. Because of its limited spatial resolution, time-resolved MRA is inferior to CE MRA in demonstrating fine vascular details.

Key Words: Magnetic resonance angiography, high magnetic field strength, 3 Tesla, time-resolved MRA, parallel imaging technique