Contrast-enhanced peripheral MR angiography from the abdominal aorta to the pedal arteries - Combined dynamic two-dimensional and bolus-chase three-dimensional acquisitions

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES, TO Obtain reliable contrast-enhanced peripheral M R angiography for imaging peripheral vascular disease from the abdominal ao rta to the pedal arteries. METHODS, A protocol consisting of contrast-enhanced, dynamic two-dimensiona l (2D) acquisition at the feet and calf and bolus-chase three-dimensional ( 3D) acquisition from the abdominal aorta to the calf was developed and appl ied in patients with peripheral vascular disease, The performance of this i ntegrated protocol was assessed in 89 consecutive patients, RESULTS. The bolus-chase 3D acquisition was of diagnostic quality in 100% o f the acquisitions in the abdomen, 96% in the thigh, and 43% in the calf, T he poor quality of the calf acquisitions was due to insufficient spatial re solution, poor arterial signal, and venous contamination. Diagnostic-qualit y images were obtained in 100% of the dynamic 2D acquisitions of the calf a nd 98% of the feet. CONCLUSIONS, The combined dynamic 2D and bolus-chase 3D contrast-enhanced M R angiography technique provides diagnostic images of the entire lower extr emity.