2-D-TIME-OF-FLIGHT MR-ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE PERIPHERAL VESSELS IN PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL VASCULAR-DISEASE - EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL-RESULTS

Purpose: A retrospective study was performed in 70 patients with perip heral vascular disease who underwent MR angiography of the lower extre mity. Material and methods: MR angiography was performed with a 2-D-TO F sequence including a travelling presaturation to suppress the venous signal. Postprocessing images were obtained with the MIP algorithm. T he MRA results were compared with conventional or digital angiography in all patients. Results: Only 19 stenoses out of 31 which showed a de gree of stenosis between 30 and 99% could be visualised by MR angiogra phy. 9 stenoses were correctly classified by MRA. In 9 cases the degre e of stenosis was overestimated, in one case it was underestimated. Al l 56 occlusions were correctly detected. 12 severe stenoses diagnosed with conventional angiography were graded as occlusions with MR angiog raphy. Conclusions: MR angiography cannot be accepted in preoperative staging of patients with peripheral vascular disease. The postoperativ e examination seems to be a practical noninvasive alternative.