MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE ABDOMEN

Magnetic resonance imaging and MR angiography involve imaging of the h ydrogen nucleus. MR angiography differs in many ways from conventional radiograph angiography and Doppler ultrasonography; MR angiography de picts more the functional status of the vessel rather than the detaile d anatomy of the vessel lumen of radiograph angiography. In comparison to ultrasonography, MR angiography can show a much bigger field-of-vi ew and allows better visualization and characterization of retroperito neal vessels. The main clinical applications of MR angiography in the abdomen are the inferior vena cava, the renal veins, the hepatic veins , the portal vein with its potential collaterals, the aorta, and the r enal arteries.