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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Carotid artery stenosis: intraindividual correlations of 3D time-of-flight MR angiography, contrast-enhanced MR angiography, conventional DSA, and rotational angiography for detection and grading.

PURPOSE: To compare three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography, contrast-enhanced MR angiography, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and rotational angiography for depiction of stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study had Ethics Committee approval, and each patient gave written informed consent. Forty-nine patients (18 women, mean age, 67.2 years +/- 9.1 [+/- standard deviation], and 31 men, mean age, 63.1 years +/- 8.0) with symptomatic stenosis of internal carotid artery (ICA) diagnosed at duplex ultrasonography underwent transverse 3D TOF MR angiography with sliding interleaved kY acquisition and coronal contrast-enhanced MR angiography, followed by DSA and rotational angiography within 48 hours. MR angiography was performed at 1.5-T with a cervical coil. Contrast-enhanced MR angiograms were obtained after a bolus injection of 20 mL of gadobenate dimeglumine. Maximum ICA stenosis on maximum intensity projection and source images was quantified according to NASCET criteria. Correlations for 3D TOF MR angiography, contrast-enhanced MR angiography, DSA, and rotational angiography were determined by means of cross tabulation, and accuracy for detection and grading of stenoses were calculated. Data were evaluated with analysis of variance, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and McNemar test, all at significance of P < .05. RESULTS: Ninety-eight ICAs were evaluated at contrast-enhanced MR angiography, DSA, and rotational angiography, and 97 were evaluated at 3D TOF MR angiography. Correlations for contrast-enhanced MR angiography, 3D TOF MR angiography, and DSA relative to rotational angiography were r2 = 0.9332, r2 = 0.9048, and r2 = 0.9255, respectively. Lower correlation (r2 = 0.8593) was noted for contrast-enhanced MR angiography and DSA. Respective sensitivity and specificity for detection of hemodynamically relevant stenosis relative to rotational angiography were 100% and 90% for contrast-enhanced MR angiography, 95.5% and 87.2% for 3D TOF MR angiography, and 88.6% and 100% for DSA. Four of 31 severe stenoses were underestimated at DSA, and three were underestimated at contrast-enhanced MR angiography. Three severe stenoses were underestimated at 3D TOF MR angiography, and one was misclassified as occluded. Of 13 moderate (50%-69%) stenoses, one was overestimated at contrast-enhanced MR angiography, two were underestimated and three overestimated at 3D TOF MR angiography, and two were underestimated at DSA. CONCLUSION: DSA results in an underestimation of ICA stenosis compared with rotational angiography. Contrast-enhanced MR angiography correlates best with rotational angiography.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Prospective evaluation of suspected stenoocclusive disease of the intracranial artery: combined MR angiography and CT angiography compared with digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR angiography is primarily and increasingly used to assess intracranial arterial stenoocclusion. However, MR angiography can cause overestimation of stenosis. Although CT angiography is accurate, it has limitations. Our purpose was to determine whether the accuracy of combined MR angiography and CT angiography is equal to that of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in measuring stenosis and detecting major intracranial arterial occlusion. METHODS: CT angiography and intraarterial DSA were prospectively performed in 18 patients with suspected intracranial stenoocclusive disease, as revealed with MR angiography. Before DSA, two reviewers independently assessed MR intracranial angiograms. Subsequently, they assessed CT angiograms with MR angiograms. Results were compared with DSA results. The degree of stenoocclusion was categorized; stenosis of 50% or more indicated stenoocclusive disease. After the blinded study, two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the angiographic findings. RESULTS: Stenoocclusive disease was identified in 18 of 198 intracranial arteries at DSA. MR angiography had a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 91%, and an accuracy of 91% for the identification of stenosis of 50% or more; the addition of CT angiography yielded values of 100%, 99%, and 99%, respectively. Stenotic grades with combined CT angiography and MR angiography agreed with those of DSA in 98% of cases. In the retrospective study, CT angiography did not always correctly delineate arterial lumina with circumferential calcification and cavernous portions of the internal carotid artery. CONCLUSION: In this investigation, the evaluation of suspected stenoocclusive diseases in major intracranial arteries, the accuracy of combined MR angiography and CT angiography is equal to that of DSA in most cases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prospective evaluation of carotid artery stenosis: elliptic centric contrast-enhanced MR angiography and spiral CT angiography compared with digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the reference standard for assessing carotid arteries, it is uncomfortable for patients and has a small risk of disabling stroke and death. These problems have fueled the use of spiral CT angiography and MR angiography. We prospectively compared elliptic centric contrast-enhanced MR angiography and spiral CT angiography with conventional DSA for detecting carotid artery stenosis. METHODS: Eighty carotid arteries (in 40 symptomatic patients) were assessed. Elliptic centric MR and spiral CT angiographic data were reconstructed with maximum intensity projection and multiplanar reconstruction techniques. All patients had been referred for DSA evaluation on the basis of findings at Doppler sonography, which served as a screening method (degree of stenosis > or = 70% or inconclusive results). Degree of carotid stenosis estimated by using the three modalities was compared. RESULTS: Significant correlation with DSA was found for stenosis degree for both elliptic centric MR and spiral CT angiography; however, the correlation coefficient was higher for MR than for CT angiography (r = 0.98 vs r = 0.86). Underestimation of stenoses of 70-99% occurred in one case with elliptic centric MR angiography (a 70% stenosis was underestimated as 65%) and in nine cases with spiral CT angiography, in comparison to DSA findings. Overestimation occurred in two cases with MR angiography (stenoses of 65-67% were overestimated as 70-75%). With CT, overestimation occurred in seven cases; a stenosis of 60% in one case was overestimated as 70%. Both techniques confirmed the three cases of carotid occlusion. With elliptic centric MR angiography, carotid stenoses of 70% or greater were detected with high sensitivity, 97.1%; specificity, 95.2%; likelihood ratio (LR) for a positive test result, 20.4; and ratio of LR(+) to LR(-), -0.3. With spiral CT angiography, sensitivity, specificity, LR(+), and LR(+):LR(-) were 74.3%, 97.6%, 31.2, and 0.3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Elliptic centric contrast-enhanced MR angiography is more accurate than spiral CT angiography to adequately evaluate carotid stenosis. Furthermore, elliptic centric contrast-enhanced MR angiography appears to be adequate to replace conventional DSA in most patients examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Circle of Willis: evaluation with spiral CT angiography, MR angiography, and conventional angiography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of spiral computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the analysis of the arteries of the circle of Willis and compare these results with magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and conventional angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results in 17 patients who underwent examination were prospectively studied in a blinded fashion. The presence or absence of the arteries of the circle of Willis was determined by using maximum intensity projection reconstructions from CT angiography and MR angiography. These results were compared with results from conventional angiography. RESULTS: Similar sensitivities were determined for CT angiography (88.5%) and MR angiography (85.5%); however, MR angiography was found to differ significantly (P = .005) from conventional angiography. No significant differences (P > .05) were found between the two modalities and conventional angiography in the detection of the anterior, middle, or posterior cerebral arteries or the anterior communicating artery. CONCLUSION: Spiral CT angiography is highly sensitive in the detection of arterial anatomy in the circle of Willis and is a reliable alternative to MR angiography.

Cerebral Angiography↗
PubMed2005

Multi-detector row CT angiography in the assessment of carotid artery disease in symptomatic patients: comparison with rotational angiography and digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Compared with the single-detector technique, multi-detector row CT angiography permits larger anatomic coverage that includes both the epiaortic and entire carotid circulations. We evaluated the accuracy of multi-detector row CT angiography by using multiplanar reformation (MPR) for measuring carotid artery diameters compared with that of rotational angiography. We also evaluated the diagnostic performance of CT angiography compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). METHODS: In 35 patients, CT angiograms of 70 carotid arteries were compared with DSA images, and CT angiograms of 33 carotid arteries were compared with rotational angiograms. CT angiographic interpretation was performed first interactively at a workstation. Diameter measurements of normal and stenosed carotid arteries were performed on cross-sectional and oblique sagittal MPRs. Degree of stenosis was calculated per North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria independently by two observers for each technique. RESULTS: Degree of stenosis was slightly underestimated with CT angiography, with mean differences (+/- SD) per observer of 6.9 +/- 17.6% and 10.7 +/- 16.1% for cross-sectional and 2.8 +/- 19.2% and 9.1 +/- 16.8% for oblique sagittal MPRs compared with rotational angiography. CT angiography was somewhat inaccurate for measuring the absolute minimal diameter of high-grade stenoses. On symptomatic sides (n = 35), interactive CT angiographic interpretation combined with MPR measurements for lesions with a visual estimate of 50% or greater stenosis achieved a sensitivity of 95% (20/21) and specificity of 93% (13/14) in the detection of carotid stenosis (>/= 50%) verified with DSA. CONCLUSION: Regardless of slight underestimation of carotid stenosis with CT angiography compared with rotational angiography, diagnostic performance of CT angiography with interactive interpretation proved to be good. Also, the method is highly sensitive for detection of carotid artery stenosis, indicating the suitability of CT angiography as a screening method for symptomatic patients. For hemodynamically significant stenoses revealed by CT angiographic screening, conventional angiography still seems to be necessary.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Peripheral vascular disease: blinded study of dedicated calf MR angiography versus standard bolus-chase MR angiography and film hard-copy angiography.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of contrast material-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) dedicated calf magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with that of bolus-chase MR angiography, with conventional angiography as the reference standard, in patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease (PVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty men with symptomatic PVD were examined. MR angiography was performed at 1.5 T before conventional angiography. MR angiographic examination included 3D contrast-enhanced dedicated calf MR angiography and three-station bolus-chase MR angiography. Two radiologists blinded to conventional angiographic results evaluated the MR angiograms independently. Two angiographers evaluated the conventional angiograms in consensus. Calf artery segments were graded as having 50% or less stenosis, greater than 50% stenosis, or occlusion or as being nondiagnostic. Statistical analyses were performed with paired permutation testing. RESULTS: Analyses of 472 calf segments and 420 pelvic and thigh segments were performed. Of the 472 calf segments, three and 75 segments (reader 1) and seven and 91 segments (reader 2) were graded as nondiagnostic at dedicated calf MR angiography and bolus-chase MR angiography, respectively. Differences in diagnostic grade between the two examinations were significant (P <.001), accounting for within-subject correlations, with a mean estimated difference of -17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -25.8%, -8.4%). In the calf arteries, the dedicated and bolus-chase MR angiographic sequences had diagnostic accuracies, respectively, of 81.5% (reader 1) and 79.1% (reader 2) and of 67.8% (reader 1) and 63.4% (reader 2). The dedicated calf sequence was significantly more accurate than the bolus-chase sequence (P =.001). The point estimate of the difference was 14.7%, with estimated correct diagnosis rates of 80.3% and 65.6% for the dedicated calf and bolus-chase examinations, respectively (95% CI for difference: 4.0%, 25.4%). The diagnostic accuracy of bolus-chase MR angiography at the pelvis-thigh level was slightly higher when it was performed first: 81.9% (reader 1) and 83.8% (reader 2) versus 74.3% (reader 1) and 80.0% (reader 2) when it was performed last. The difference was not significant (P =.21). CONCLUSION: Use of dedicated calf MR angiography led to significantly increased diagnostic accuracy in the calf arteries compared with standard bolus-chase MR angiography. Use of the dual-bolus technique did not jeopardize the diagnostic accuracy in the pelvic and thigh arteries.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Quantitative assessment of carotid stenosis: comparison between Doppler ultrasound, spiral computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography and digital angiography].

BACKGROUND: The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial has confirmed the benefit of carotid endarterectomy in comparison to medical treatment in stroke prevention in symptomatic patients having a carotid stenosis of 70% or more. The Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study has concluded that the benefit of surgical treatment remains significant in asymptomatic patients with 60% (or more) stenosis of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery, when mortality rate remains inferior to 3%. In these two trials, angiography has been used to quantify the stenosis. Though this test is carrying some neurological and renal risks, replacing the angiography stenosis grading for a non or less invasive test, seems to be permissible. METHODS: In our retroprospective study, the assessments of the carotid stenosis by several non-invasive tests findings were compared to the angiography results. Nineteen carotid arteries of fifteen patients, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, having a carotid stenosis at least 60% or more and being detected by the Doppler ultrasound were explored either by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), spiral computed tomography angiography (SCTA) and angiography. RESULTS: The ultrasonography and angiography findings were well correlated (r=0,88; p<0.002) according to the Spearman test. The assessments of the MRA were better correlated to the angiography than to the SCTA (respectively r=0.91, p<0.0001 and r=0,68, p<0.001). Using both ultrasonography and MRA as a confirmatory test, the rate of injustified carotid endarterectomy was 25%. And this rate rose up to 33% when the ultrasonography was used with the SCTA. It is noteworthy that negative predictive value of ARM was 100%. To reduce the mortality rate, several surgical teams managed the carotid stenosis without angiography. CONCLUSION: MRA could replace angiography, on condition that the rate of unjustified carotid endarterectomy lowers and becomes acceptable. Far reaching complementary studies are necessary to confirm the fiability of those non-invasive tests. In order to raise the benefit to carotid endarterectomy, the research studies should turn to the predictive score determination of a surgical international risk and towards the "High benefit" patients groups after endarterectomy.

Angiography↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm for stent-graft placement: comparison of gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography versus helical CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography.

PURPOSE: To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) angiography can be used alone to evaluate abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) for endovascular placement of stent grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with AAAs underwent gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography of the abdominal aorta and pelvic arteries. Measurements of the size and extent of the AAAs were compared with helical computed tomographic (CT) and digital subtraction angiographic measurements; 95% confidence intervals for the differences in the means were determined. RESULTS: Because of the larger field of view, MR angiography was superior to CT angiography in assessing visceral iliac artery disease. Both modalities were equal in evaluating the proximal extent of the AAA (mean difference, -0.16 mm; 95% CI, -0.31, 0.64) and in measuring all aortic dimensions (e.g., mean difference in the proximal neck diameter, -0.74 mm; 95% CI, -0.98, -0.49). MR angiography was inferior to CT angiography in depicting accessory renal arteries (seven of 12) and in grading renal artery stenoses (sensitivity, 100% [95% CI, 0.90, 1.00]; specificity, 84% [95% CI, 0.74, 0.91]). CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography is a fast, reliable means of providing all the information relevant to the preoperative assessment of endovascular aortic stent-graft placement.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Multislice computed tomography angiography of the abdominal arteries: comparison between computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography findings in 52 cases.

Since the introduction of multislice CT scanners, CT angiography (CTA) has become a powerful tool for imaging the vascular system. We compare conventional angiography to CTA in the diagnosis of morphological changes in the abdominal aorta and its branches. A retrospective analysis of 52 patients who underwent both multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) and digital subtraction angiography before surgical treatment is presented. All CT examinations were performed after administration of 100 mL contrast medium with a collimation of 4 x 1 mm and a pitch of 7. A standardized evaluation of the axial, multiplanar and 3D reconstructions was performed by two experienced radiologists. Stenoses were classified as high-grade and low-grade, and aneurysms, occlusions and arteriosclerosis were evaluated. The CTA findings were compared with conventional angiography. All aneurysms, occlusions, stenoses and calcifications were diagnosed correctly by CTA in axial and multiplanar projections (sensitivity 1.0; specificity 1.0). The degree of stenosis was overestimated in three cases when using axial projections. Three-dimensional volume-rendered CTA showed a sensitivity of 0.91 for aneurysms, 0.82 for stenoses, 0.75 for occlusions and 0.77 for calcifications. The specificity was 1.0 in all cases. Multislice CT angiography seems to be similar to conventional digital subtraction angiography for abdominal vessels if multiplanar projections are used.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Peripheral arterial disease: sensitivity-encoded multiposition MR angiography compared with intraarterial angiography and conventional multiposition MR angiography.

A sensitivity-encoded magnetic resonance (MR) angiography protocol was developed in which imaging times in the pelvic and upper-leg positions were reduced and isotropic submillimeter voxel volumes were acquired in the lower-leg position. To achieve this, sensitivity encoding and random central-k-space segmentation in a centric filling order were applied. Results with this technique were compared with those with midstream aortic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (as the reference standard) and conventional MR angiography in 15 patients with peripheral vascular disease. The results show that sensitivity-encoded MR angiography demonstrates increased diagnostic accuracy in comparison to that with conventional MR angiography and depicts more open infragenual arterial segments compared with both midstream aortic DSA and conventional MR angiography.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Patient with Leriche's syndrome and concomitant superior mesenteric aneurysm: evaluation with contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography.

Conventional angiography is regarded as the gold standard in vascular imaging but it is invasive, and difficulty may be encountered in the evaluation of aortic occlusion disease. Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm is an uncommon disease, which can result in life-threatening haemorrhage after rupture. With the rapid development of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), high-quality images of the vascular system can be obtained in a non-invasive manner. We report a case of Leriche's syndrome with concomitant superior mesenteric aneurysm using contrast-enhanced 3-D CTA and MRA, with digital subtraction angiography correlation.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed2003

CT angiography, MR angiography and rotational digital subtraction angiography for volumetric assessment of intracranial aneurysms. An experimental study.

The purpose of our experimental study was to assess the accuracy and precision of CT angiography (CTA), MR angiography (MRA) and rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for measuring the volume of an in vitro aneurysm model. A rigid model of the anterior cerebral circulation harbouring an anterior communicating aneurysm was connected to a pulsatile circuit. It was studied using unenhanced 3D time-of-flight MRA, contrast-enhanced CTA and rotational DSA angiography. The source images were then postprocessed on dedicated workstations to calculate the volume of the aneurysm. CTA was more accurate than MRA (P=0.0019). Rotational DSA was more accurate than CTA, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.1605), and significantly more accurate than MRA (P<0.00001). CTA was more precise than MRA (P=0.12), although this did not reach statistical significance. Rotational DSA can be part of the diagnosis, treatment planning and support endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The emerging endovascular treatment techniques which consist of using liquid polymers as implants to exclude aneurysms from arterial circulation would certainly benefit from this precise measurement of the volume of aneurysms.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed2001

Value of the CT angiography in the diagnosis of common carotid artery bifurcation disease: CT angiography versus digital subtraction angiography and color flow Doppler.

OBJECTIVE: assessment of the degree of stenosis is the central point in the treatment of carotid stenosis. The purpose of our study was to assess whether invasive CT angiography (CTA) is a feasible alternative to the current invasive gold standard carotid digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and the current non-invasive gold standard color flow doppler. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: about 178 patients with cerebrovascular disease underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), CFD and CTA. CTA was performed on a Somatom plus 4 (Siemens, Erlangen Germany). CT was performed with 2/3/2 (collimation/table feed/reconstruction interval) or 2/3/1 mm, start delay 15-20 s, flow 2.5-3.0 ml/s, using 120 ml non-ionic contrast medium (300 mg J/ml). Quantification of degree of stenosis was based on the perfused area in the axial slices. Plaque morphology (soft and hard) and ulceration were evaluated. RESULTS: CTA detected nine cases of significant stenosis, which had been underestimated by DSA. CTA failed in two cases of a membraneous stenosis, which were underestimated, and in two cases with teeth artifacts. Calcifications were more readily appreciated by CTA than in CFD. In this respect, both methods were superior to DSA. CFD, DSA and CTA had a sensitivity of 100% for occlusions, respectively. CONCLUSION: CT angiography is useful in case of inconclusive CFD in the pre- and postoperative phase, and as a third modality in case of disagreement between DSA and CFD.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Intracranial vascular stenosis and occlusive disease: evaluation with CT angiography, MR angiography, and digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although digital subtraction angiography (DSA) provides excellent visualization of the intracranial vasculature, it has several limitations. Our purpose was to evaluate the ability of helical CT angiography (CTA) to help detect and quantify intracranial stenosis and occlusion compared with DSA and MR angiography (MRA). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients underwent CTA, DSA, and 3D time-of-flight (TOF) MRA for suspected cerebrovascular lesions. All three studies were performed within a 30-day period. Two readers blinded to prior estimated or calculated stenoses, patient history and clinical information examined 672 vessel segments. Lesions were categorized as normal (0-9%), mild (10-29%), moderate (30-69%), severe (70-99%), or occluded (no flow detected). DSA was the reference standard. Unblinded consensus readings were obtained for all discrepancies. RESULTS: A total of 115 diseased vessel segments were identified. After consensus interpretation, CTA revealed higher sensitivity than that of MRA for intracranial stenosis (98% versus 70%, P < .001) and occlusion (100% versus 87%, P = .02). CTA had a higher positive predictive value than that of MRA for both stenosis (93% versus 65%, P < .001) and occlusion (100% versus 59%, P < .001). CTA had a high interoperator reliability. In 6 of 28 patients (21%), all 6 with low-flow states in the posterior circulation, CTA was superior to DSA in detection of vessel patency. CONCLUSION: CTA has a higher sensitivity and positive predictive value than MRA and is recommended over TOF MRA for detection of intracranial stenosis and occlusion. CTA has a high interoperator reliability. CTA is superior to DSA in the evaluation of posterior circulation steno-occlusive disease when slow flow is present. CTA results had a significant effect on patient clinical management.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of surgically formed collateral circulation in moyamoya disease with 3D-CT angiography: comparison with MR angiography and X-ray angiography.

Three patients with moyamoya disease who had undergone bypass surgery at which bilateral encephaloduro-arterio-synangiosis (EDAS) anastomoses were created were studied with three-dimensional spiral CT angiography (3D-CTA). In one patient, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) clearly visualized the bilateral EDAS, and 3D-CTA also visualized these anastomoses in detail with extreme clarity. In the other two patients, MRA did not clearly demonstrate the right EDAS anastomosis, but 3D-CTA visualized both side surgical collaterals clearly. External carotid angiography confirmed these findings. 3D-CTA might have great value in the evaluation of surgical bypass patency and, in following the disease progression.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Non-invasive assessment of epiaortic vessels. Comparison of magnetic resonance angiography with gadolinium, spiral computerized tomography angiography, and digital angiography].

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare gadolinium-enhanced MRA (Gd-MRA), Computed Tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the evaluation of carotid stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with US-proven internal carotid artery stenosis over 50%, underwent Gd-MRA, CTA and DSA. Gd-MRA was acquired using the keyhole technique. RESULTS: The overall agreement was 90% for Gd-MRA and 93% for CTA. Gd-MRA and CTA overestimated 5 and 4 cases of mild stenosis and 1 case each of moderate stenosis, respectively. Gd-MRA better delineated ulcerated plaques, tandem lesions and pseudo-occlusions. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high speed acquisition breath-hold is no longer necessary for Gd-MRA and more delayed phases were analysed when necessary. The main limitation of Gd-MRA was represented by insufficient volume coverage that allowed the visualisation of supraaortic vessels from the arch only in 57% of the cases. Calcified plaques were very well detected by CTA and not by Gd-MRA. In our experience Gd-MRA represents the second step non invasive tool in patients with US-proven carotid stenosis. This leads to avoid conventional angiography in most cases.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed2006

3 T contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for evaluation of the intracranial arteries: comparison with time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography and multislice computed tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: We sought to prospectively evaluate the image quality and visualization of the intracranial arteries using high spatial resolution contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) at 3 T and to perform intraindividual comparison with time-of-flight (TOF) MRA and multislice CT angiography (CTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients (5 men, 7 women, 37-71 years of age) with suspected cerebrovascular disease prospectively underwent MRA and CTA. MRA was performed on a 3 T MR system, including both 3-dimensional (3D) TOF (Voxel dimension: 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.9 mm in 5 minutes and 40 seconds) and 3D CE-MRA (voxel dimension: 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.8 mm in 20 seconds, using parallel acquisition with an acceleration factor of 4). CTA images were acquired on a 16-slice CT scanner (voxel dimension: 0.35 x 0.35 x 0.8 mm in 17 seconds). The image quality and visualization of up to 26 intracranial arterial segments in each study was evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists. The arterial diameter for selective intracranial arteries was measured independently on each of the 3 studies, and statistical analysis and comparative correlation was performed. RESULTS: A total of 312 arterial segments were examined by CE-MRA, TOF-MRA, and CTA. The majority of intracranial arteries (87%) were visualized with diagnostic image quality on CE-MRA with a significant correlation to TOF (R values = 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.79-0.86, P < 0.0001), and to CTA (R values = 0.74; 95% confidence interavl 0.68-0.78, P < 0.001). The image quality for small intracranial arteries, including the anterior-inferior cerebellar artery, the posterior communicating artery, and the M3 branch of the middle cerebral artery, was significantly lower on CE-MRA compared with TOF and CTA (P < 0.03). There was a significant correlation for the dimensional measurements of arterial diameters at CE-MRA with TOF (r = 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.93), and CTA (r = 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.73-0.90). CONCLUSION: The described 3 T CE-MRA protocol, spanning from the cervical to the intracranial vessels, visualized and characterized the majority of intracranial arteries with image quality comparable with that obtained using TOF-MRA and CTA. Further clinical studies are required to establish the accuracy of the technique in a broader clinical setting.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Angiography of primary central nervous system angiitis of childhood: conventional angiography versus magnetic resonance angiography at presentation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To systematically analyze conventional angiographic (CA) features of children with primary central nervous system angiitis (cPACNS), to compare and correlate CA and MR angiography (MRA) lesion characteristics, and to define the sensitivity and specificity of MRA with CA as a reference standard. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center cohort study of consecutive patients with cPACNS was performed. Patients with CA and MRA studies at diagnosis were included. Imaging studies were blindly reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists using a standard analysis protocol. CA and MRA studies were compared using nonparametric analysis. RESULTS: Of 45 patients with MRA at diagnosis, there were 25 for whom CA and MRA studies were performed within 1 month of each other. These comprised the study group. The CA distribution of lesions was multifocal (76%) and proximal (86%) (P < .05) with a trend toward unilaterality (P = .06) with anterior circulation involvement (P = .08). The sensitivity and specificity of MRA for CA abnormality was 70% and 98%, respectively. There was no significant difference between MRA and CA for lesion detection or characterization (P = .87), and the modalities showed a fair correlation (kappa = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Angiographic lesions are multifocal and occur proximally and unilaterally within the anterior circulation. There is no significant difference in the ability of MRA to detect and characterize lesions when compared with CA.

Adolescent↗