Time-resolved two-dimensional thick-slice magnetic resonance digital subtraction angiography in assessing brain tumors

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical applicability of two-dimensi onal (2D) thick-slice, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance digital subtrac tion angiography (MRDSA) with high temporal resolution in diagnosis of brai n tumors. Forty-four patients with brain tumors including, 15 meningiomas, 8 gliomas, 6 metastatic tumors, 4 neuromas, and 2 hemangioblastomas, were s tudied with 2D MRDSA with frame rate approximately 1 s. Images were continu ously obtained following the initiation of bolus injection of gadolinium ch elates for 40 s and subtraction images were generated in a workstation. We evaluated visualization of normal cranial vessels on MRDSA and compared MRD SA and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) with regard t o hemodynamic information. Large cerebral arteries, all venous sinuses, and most tributaries were clearly visualized. A stain was present in hypervasc ular tumors including ll 15 meningiomas and 2 hemangioblastomas an MRDSA. P resence of a stain demonstrated on MRDSA and that on IADSA coincided in 16 of 20 cases (Spearman rank correlation value was 0.85). The location, shape , and phase of the stain on MRDSA were similar to those on IADSA. Two-dimen sional MRDSA with high temporal resolution has a unique ability to demonstr ate cerebral hemodynamics, such as IADSA, and can play an important role in assessing brain tumors.