Feasibility of using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography as the sole imaging modality prior to endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Objectives: to establish the feasibility of using magnetic resonance imagin g (MRI) with dynamic constrast-enhanced (DCE) MRA as the sole imaging modal ity in the assessment of patients prior to endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Design: DCE MRA with MRI and helical computed tomography (CT) examinations were performed in patients being assessed for suitability for an endovascul ar approach to repair of their AAA. Management outcomes determined by the t wo techniques were compared. Materials: sixteen patients with AAA. Methods: all subjects underwent DCE MRA/MRI and helical CTA. Criteria for s uitability for endovascular repair were established. The management outcome s determined by the MRI findings were compared with those obtained by CTA. Results: high-quality MRA/MRI and CT images were obtained in 16 patients. S ix patients were considered suitable for an endovascular approach, one was considered borderline and nine were judged unsuitable. In all cases, the ov erall management determined by the two methods concurred. Conclusions: comparison of the two imaging modalities resulted in agreement as to suitability for an endovascular approach. We therefore conclude that in our group the use of MRI and DCE-MRA proved effective as a sole imaging modality for the assessment of these patients.