3D MR angiography of the entire aorta: modified application of the body-phased array coil for a single-shot technique

Objective: Evaluation of different contrast-enhanced MR angiography imaging protocols for visualization of the entire aorta in breath-hold technique. Methods ann patients: Three different CE (0.15 mmol/kg) MRA protocols were evaluated by phantom and patient studies: (1) two separate MRA with convent ional application of the body-phased array coil; (2) a single-shot MRA with modified application of the body-phased array coil; (3) a single-shot MRA with the body coil. Duplex sonography, CTA and DSA were used as standard of reference. Results: In all examinations the entire aorta could be visualiz ed. The best SNR was acquired with protocol (1). The SNR of protocol (2) wa s reduced if the sagittal body diameter of the patient was greater than 20 cm and decreased significantly with diameters over 30 cm. By the use of pro tocol (3) the SNR was notably poor. The quality scored for the visualizatio n of the entire aorta was 97.5% (protocol 1), 92.5% (protocol 2); and 80.0% (protocol 3). Conclusion: In most cases the modified application of the bo dy-phased array coil allows the imaging of the entire aorta as a single-sho t 3D CE MRA in diagnostic quality. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A ll rights reserved.