Kyjam. Ho et al., PERIPHERAL VASCULAR TREE STENOSES - EVALUATION WITH MOVING-BED INFUSION-TRACKING MR-ANGIOGRAPHY, Radiology, 206(3), 1998, pp. 683-692
PURPOSE: To evaluate a magnetic resonance (MR) angiographic technique
for imaging of the peripheral arteries with gadolinium enhancement. MA
TERIALS AND METHODS: Moving-bed infusion-tracking MR angiograms were o
btained in 15 healthy volunteers and in 28 patients with intermittent
claudication before and during slow infusion of contrast material. Low
er- and upper-led and pelvic regions were imaged. Unenhanced images we
re subtracted from gadolinium-enhanced images, and maximum intensity p
rojection images were generated. Image quality was evaluated subjectiv
ely and objectively, and maximum intensity projection images were comp
ared with conventional angiograms, which served as the standard of ref
erence. RESULTS: Moving-bed infusion-tracking MR angiography proved to
be a robust technique, and image quality on maximum intensity project
ion images was comparable with that on conventional angiograms. Sensit
ivity and specificity for grading hemodynamically significant stenoses
were 93% and 98%, respectively, with excellent interobserver agreemen
t. CONCLUSION: Moving-bed infusion-tracking MR angiography can be used
to image all peripheral arteries in 4 minutes by using a small amount
of contrast material and a conventional 1.5-T MR imager.