INTRAPELVIC 2-DIMENSIONAL TIME-OF-FLIGHT MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY IN HEALTHY AND DISEASED SUBJECTS

We evaluated the use of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) based on two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) technique in the pelvic vasc ulature. In the initial phase of this study, MRA was performed in 10 n ormal subjects for determination of the optimum imaging parameters. Sy stemically varied scan parameters included flip angle ranging from 20 degrees to 90 degrees by 10 degrees increments and repetition time (TR ) of 30, 40, and 50 ms. The optimum imaging parameters for intrapelvic MR angiography were found to be flip angle of 90 degrees, pulse seque nce of 30/4.9 (TR ms/TE ms). Using these imaging parameters, 70-100% o f the second division branches of the internal iliac artery could be v isualized in each subject. In the second phase of this study, we evalu ated the use of MR angiography in patients with intrapelvic vascular d isease by comparing its accuracy in evaluating the iliac arteries with that of conventional angiography. In patients with atheromatous disea se, the MR angiographic determination was consistent with that of conv entional angiography in 23 of 28 visualized arterial segments (82%). I n eight lesions in patients with non-stenotic vascular disease or hype rvascular pelvic tumours, all lesions were demonstrated clearly with M R angiography. 2D TOF technique with high flip angle excitation is sui table for the evaluation of main iliac branches and diseased vessels.