Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography: Applications for abdominal imaging

Three-dimensional (3D) gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiogra phy is a versatile technique that combines speed, superb contrast, and rela tive simplicity. It has a wide range of applications, particularly in the a bdomen and pelvis, where superb images of the abdominal aorta and renal art eries are routinely obtained. Aneurysms, atherosclerotic lesions, and occlu sions of the major mesenteric arteries are also well depicted. In addition, 3D gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography is ideal for noninvasive evaluation of the systemic and mesenteric veins and can be used to demonstrate parench ymal lesions in the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and other organs. It is also useful in staging genitourinary neoplasms: Parenchymal lesions, venous exte nsion, and adenopathy are all clearly depicted. Three-dimensional gadoliniu m-enhanced MR angiography can be useful in the preoperative evaluation of p otential transplant donors and recipients and in the evaluation of vascular complications following transplantation. Delayed 3D acquisitions of the ki dneys, ureters, and bladder can be performed routinely to generate gadolini um-enhanced urograms and demonstrate obstruction, delayed function, filling defects, and masses. A variety of methods for increasing the speed and imp roving the resolution of 3D acquisition are currently under investigation. These include novel imaging and reformatting techniques and the use of intr avascular contrast agents with much longer vascular half-lives.