Objective: To assess magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for demonstr
ation of arterial patency in the ankle and foot of patients with perip
heral vascular disease. Methods: Peripheral MRA of the ankle and foot
was performed on 34 limbs of 31 insulin-dependent diabetics. 2-D time-
of-flight MRA (TR 33 ms/TE 7.7 ms/inferior saturation band) was perfor
med with 16cm held of view. Pre- or intra-operative angiographic corre
lation was available in all cases. Results: In 24 limbs MRA was compar
ed to conventional angiography. MRA showed more patent run-off vessel
segments (120) than angiography (100). In 10 limbs MRA was compared to
intraoperative angiography and for the detection of patent vessel seg
ments showed a sensitivity of 87.5% (42/48) with a 95% confidence inte
rval of 75% to 95% and a specificity of 95% (38/40) with a 95% confide
nce interval of 83% to 99%. Pitfalls included difficulty in visualizin
g flow at the bifurcation of the peroneal artery, in the plantar arch
and retrograde how in the lateral plantar artery. Conclusions: MRA is
sensitive for the detection of patent arteries in the ankle and foot b
ut artefacts may cause overdiagnosis of focal stenoses or occlusions.