Background: In contrast to magnetic-resonance-angiography (MRA) of the peripheral vessels of the lower extremity, which gains more and more clinical application, MRA of the hand arteries is still exceptional. Our objective was to introduce an appropriate protocol for high resolution contrast-enhanced MR-angiography of the hand arteries. Patients and methods: 7 healthy volunteers and 13 patients with suspected hand artery obstructions underwent MRA. The examinations were performed on a 1.5 T system equipped with a flexible surface coil. A modified 3D-gradient-echo sequence was used. Criteria for image analysis were the overall image quality, vessel visibility and the timing of the contrast material bolus. Results: In the volunteer group delineation of the superficial or deep palmar arch, common palmar digital arteries and of the proximal and middle segments of the digital arteries was possible. No pathologic findings were seen in the volunteer group. In 10 patients MRA revealed pathologic findings. In 9 examinations bolus-timing was correct, 7 examinations showed incomplete arterial enhancement, 4 examinations showed venous overlay. Conclusions: Contrast enhanced MR-angiography of the hand arteries in the described technique is a promising method. Compared to intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) MRA still has limitations concerning spatial and temporal resolution. For clinical evaluation comparative studies with IA-DSA are necessary.
MRA contrast bolus timing with ultrasound bubbles