MRI of thoracic vascular lesions with emphasis on two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography

MRI is a Valuable method for evaluating thoracic vascular lesions by virtue of its noninvasiveness and multiplanar capability. In addition, ionizing r adiation and iodinated contrast medium are not required. Electrocardiograph ically gated T-1 weighted spin echo MRI remains the principal technique for demonstrating the anatomy and morphology of thoracic vascular diseases. Ci ne MRI allows dynamic evaluation of Vascular flow, whereas MR angiography i s particularly useful in the two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) display of vascular anatomy. This pictorial review illustrates the use of 2D time-of-flight MR angiography in the assessment of various thoracic vasc ular conditions including aortic arch and great vessel anomalies, heterotax ic syndromes, aortic dissection, aortic or arch vessel aneurysms, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary sequestration, axillofemoral bypass and tumour/vessel relationships.