CAROTID AND VERTEBRAL ARTERY DISSECTIONS - 3-DIMENSIONAL TIME-OF-FLIGHT MR-ANGIOGRAPHY AND MR-IMAGING VERSUS CONVENTIONAL ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To compare three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonanc e (MR) angiography, MR imaging, and transfemoral four-vessel angiograp hy in diagnosis and follow-up of cervical artery dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with 19 extracranial internal carotid artery and five vertebral artery dissections were included in this pro spective study. Blind interpretation of MR and angiographic images was made by two independent-radiologists. RESULTS: MR angiography was mor e accurate than MR imaging in diagnosis of carotid dissection, althoug h the difference was not statistically significant. In carotid artery dissection, respective sensitivity and specificity were 95% and 99% fo r MR angiography and 84% and 99% for MR imaging and in vertebral arter y dissection were 20% and 100% for MR angiography and 60% and 98% for MR imaging. CONCLUSION: MR angiography is a reliable, noninvasive meth od for use in diagnosis and follow-up of extracranial internal carotid artery dissection. In vertebral artery dissection, however, conventio nal angiography remains useful.