Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the craniocervical vessels: a review

The use of MR angiography (MRA) with injection of contrast medium enables i maging of a large volume with a very short acquisition time, providing angi ographic images similar to those obtained with catheter angiography. This m akes possible investigation of patients in the acute phase of stroke, with examination of the entire length of the cervical arteries from the aortic a rch to the circle of Willis. However, the parameters of the sequence must b e carefully chosen to optimise image quality, with a compromise between spa tial resolution, acquisition time and image contrast. An overview of the te chnical aspects is presented, including current developments. Different pro tocol strategies are discussed, including their advantages and limits. Fina lly, we review the preliminary results of contrast-enhanced MRA for assessm ent of atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic vessels.