Time-resolved, contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography in the subclavian steal effect

The subclavian steal effect indicates atherosclerotic disease of the supraaortic vessels but rarely causes cerebrovascular events in itself. Noninvasive imaging providing detailed anatomic as well as hemodynamic information would therefore be desirable. From a group of 25 consecutive patients referred for MR angiography, four with absent or highly attenuated signal in one of the vertebral arteries on 3D multislab time-of-flight MR angiography were selected to undergo 3D time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR angiography. The time-resolved 3D contrast series (source images and MIPs) were evaluated visually and by graphic analysis of time-intensity curves derived from the respective V1 and V3 segments of both vertebral arteries on the source images. In two cases with high-grade proximal left subclavian stenosis, time-resolved 3D ce-MRA was able to visualise retrograde contrast filling of the left VA. There was a marked delay in time-to-peak between the left and right V1 segments in one case and a shallower slope of enhancement in another. In the other two cases, there was complete or collateralised segmental occlusion of the VAs.

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Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography Using a Novel Elastin-Specific Molecular Probe in an Experimental Animal Model

Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging ◽

10.1155/2018/9217456 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carolin Reimann ◽

Julia Brangsch ◽

Jan Ole Kaufmann ◽

Lisa C. Adams ◽

David C. Onthank ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Image Quality ◽

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽

Contrast Agent ◽

Mr Angiography ◽

Molecular Probe ◽

Time Resolved ◽

Clinical Dose ◽

Contrast Enhanced ◽

First Pass

Objectives. The aim of this study was to test the potential of a new elastin-specific molecular agent for the performance of contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), compared to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent (gadobutrol) and based on clinical MR sequences. Materials and Methods. Eight C57BL/6J mice (BL6, male, aged 10 weeks) underwent a contrast-enhanced first-pass and 3D MR angiography (MRA) of the aorta and its main branches. All examinations were on a clinical 3 Tesla MR system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The clinical dose of 0.1 mmol/kg was administered in both probes. First, a time-resolved MRA (TWIST) was acquired during the first-pass to assess the arrival and washout of the contrast agent bolus. Subsequently, a high-resolution 3D MRA sequence (3D T1 FLASH) was acquired. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated for all sequences. Results. The elastin-specific MR probe and the extravascular imaging agent (gadobutrol) enable high-quality MR angiograms in all animals. During the first-pass, the probes demonstrated a comparable peak enhancement (300.6 ± 32.9 vs. 288.5 ± 33.1, p>0.05). Following the bolus phase, both agents showed a comparable intravascular enhancement (SNR: 106.7 ± 11 vs. 102.3 ± 5.3; CNR 64.5 ± 7.4 vs. 61.1 ± 7.2, p>0.05). Both agents resulted in a high image quality with no statistical difference (p>0.05). Conclusion. The novel elastin-specific molecular probe enables the performance of first-pass and late 3D MR angiography with an intravascular contrast enhancement and image quality comparable to a clinically used extravascular contrast agent.

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