MR-ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE CAROTID ARTERIES IN 3D TOF-TECHNIQUE WITH SAGITTAL DOUBLE-SLAB ACQUISITION USING A NEW HEAD-NECK COIL

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the value of MR angiograph y (MRA) in sagittal technique compared to DSA in the evaluation of car otid artery stenosis. Methods: 80 carotid arteries in 40 symptomatic p atients were prospectively studied with DSA and MRA. MRA was carried o ut by means of 3D time-of-flight technique with a FISP sequence (T-E 6 ms/T-R 80ms, flip angle 25 degrees, FOV 240 x 210mm, matrix 157 x 256 mm, in-plane resolution 1.34 x 0.94mm, partition thickness 1.32mm, sla b thickness 45mm, acquisition time 7 min) using a new head-neck coil. Data acquisition was performed in sagittal orientation with the ''doub le-slab'' technique. Imaging quality of the extracranial carotid arter ies and correctness of quantification of stenosis was performed. Resul ts: Imaging quality was good at the origin of the carotid arteries in 65%, at the bifurcation region in 98% and near the skull base in 81%. The agreement of DSA and MRA was 96% of the normal arteries (24/25), 9 0% of the severe stenoses (28/31) and 100% of the occluded arteries (9 /9). Conclusion: MRA in sagittal ''double-slab'' technique is a noninv asive technique allowing to detect normal arteries and candidates for surgery with a high degree of certainity.