USEFULNESS OF 3-DIMENSIONAL PHASE-CONTRAST MR-ANGIOGRAPHY ON ARTERIOVENOUS-MALFORMATIONS

Prospective three-dimensional phase contrast (3D-PC) MR angiography wa s obtained in 34 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and c omparison was made between digital substraction angiography (DSA) and three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D-TOF) methods. Velocity encoding ( VENC) for 3D-PC was adjusted to 60 and 10 cm/sec., and was changed onl y when adequate information was nor, obtained. VENC 60 cm/sec. demonst rated the main feeders in 100 % of cases and the nidus in 56 % of case s whereas VENC 10 cm/sec. showed the draining vein in 78 % of cases. T he detection rate of feeder, nidus and drainer was 60 %, 40 % and 13 % respectively by the TOF technique. The mean size of the nidus as comp ared with DSA as standard was 130 % with MRI, 108 % with 3D-PC and 92 % with the TOF technique and this difference was not statistically sig nificant. 3D-PC was clearly superior in detecting AVM in the presence of hemosiderin, hematoma or surgical clips. It also showed gradual dis appearance of the lesion after radiosurgery. We found 3D-PC superior t o 3D-TOF in the diagnosis, therapeutic planning and follow-up of AVM.