Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the peripheral arteries: Technique, tips, pitfalls and problems

Abstract Background The native balanced steady state with free precession (bSSFP) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique has been shown to provide high diagnostic image quality for thoracic aortic disease. This study compares a 3D radial respiratory self-navigated native MRA (native-SN-MRA) based on a bSSFP sequence with conventional Cartesian, 3D, contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) with navigator-gated respiration control for image quality of the entire thoracic aorta. Methods Thirty-one aortic native-SN-MRA were compared retrospectively (63.9 ± 10.3 years) to 61 CE-MRA (63.1 ± 11.7 years) serving as a reference standard. Image quality was evaluated at the aortic root/ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta. Scan time was recorded. In 10 patients with both MRA sequences, aortic pathologies were evaluated and normal and pathologic aortic diameters were measured. The influence of artifacts on image quality was analyzed. Results Compared to the overall image quality of CE-MRA, the overall image quality of native-SN-MRA was superior for all segments analyzed (aortic root/ascending, p < 0.001; arch, p < 0.001, and descending, p = 0.005). Regarding artifacts, the image quality of native-SN-MRA remained superior at the aortic root/ascending aorta and aortic arch before and after correction for confounders of surgical material (i.e., susceptibility-related artifacts) (p = 0.008 both) suggesting a benefit in terms of motion artifacts. Native-SN-MRA showed a trend towards superior intraindividual image quality, but without statistical significance. Intraindividually, the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of aortic disease were 100% for native-SN-MRA. Aortic diameters did not show a significant difference (p = 0.899). The scan time of the native-SN-MRA was significantly reduced, with a mean of 05:56 ± 01:32 min vs. 08:51 ± 02:57 min in the CE-MRA (p < 0.001). Conclusions Superior image quality of the entire thoracic aorta, also regarding artifacts, can be achieved with native-SN-MRA, especially in motion prone segments, in addition to a shorter acquisition time.

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MRA Mapping and Selective Embolization of a Large Uterine Cavity Pseudoaneurysm at 20 Weeks of Gestation

Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1155/2018/3610492 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Jean V. Storey ◽

Timothy B. Dinh ◽

Deirdre M. McCullough ◽

Steven H. Craig ◽

Christian L. Carlson

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Vascular Malformations ◽

Uterine Cavity ◽

Massive Hemorrhage ◽

Fetal Mortality ◽

Intravenous Contrast ◽

Selective Embolization ◽

Contrast Enhanced

Antepartum uterine cavity pseudoaneurysm rupture can cause massive hemorrhage with high maternal and fetal mortality risk. Invasive placentation can predispose to vascular malformations. We present a novel use of macrocyclic intravenous contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for preprocedure planning followed by selective low radiation embolization of a uterine cavity pseudoaneurysm in the setting of invasive placentation at 20 weeks of gestation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of uterine cavity pseudoaneurysm successfully mapped with MRA and treated with embolization at 20 weeks of gestation.

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