MR-IMAGING OF THE THORACIC AORTA - COMPARISON OF SPIN-ECHO, ANGIOGRAPHIC, AND BREATH-HOLD TECHNIQUES

PURPOSE: To compare magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and fast MR im aging with spin-echo (SE) and non-MR imaging techniques in examination of the thoracic aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine patients un derwent breath-hold or cine MR angiography; SE was used in 67 patients and fast MR imaging in 28. A comparison was made with non-MR imaging (transthoracic echocardiography in 49 patients, transesophageal echoca rdiography in 18, and arteriography in 33) findings and those from sur gery or autopsy (16 patients). RESULTS: MR angiography enabled differe ntiation of slow flow from thrombus, demonstrated aortic valve anatomy and aortic regurgitation, and accurately showed anatomy with only one error. It demonstrated two communications, flaps, and three branch st enoses better than SE, which produced some artifacts that mimicked thr ombus or flaps. Fast MR imaging often produced artifacts or poor image quality (10 of 28 patients). CONCLUSlON: Compared with SE MR imaging, MR angiography provides additional useful anatomic and functional inf ormation concerning diseases of the thoracic aorta, usually gained onl y with echocardiography or arteriography.