[Contrast media-enhanced MR angiography of the lower extremity arteries using a dedicated peripheral vascular coil system. First clinical results]

To evaluate contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (ceMRA) of the pelvic and peripheral arteries with a dedicated peripheral vascular coil system and automated table-feed technique in patients with arterial occlusive disease.

Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography in a two-step automatic table feed technique was performed in 45 patients using a 1.5 Tesla imager (Magnetom Symphony, Siemens). The pelvic arteries were imaged with a single injection of contrast material. The upper and the lower leg were imaged with a second injection of contrast material in an automated table feed technique using a dedicated vascular coil system. In 20 patients ceMRA was compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the standard of reference and in 25 patients ceMRA was performed solely.

Sensitivity and specificity for grading significant stenoses > or = 50% and occlusions (in parenthesis) were in the pelvic arteries 94.7%, 96.8%, (100%, 100%), in the arteries of the upper leg 92.3%, 93.3% (87.5%, 100%) and in the arteries of the lower leg 96.5%, 95.8%, (95.2%, 96.8%), respectively. Depiction of the runoff vessels of the lower leg was excellent in ceMRA. CeMRA was of diagnostic quality in all the patients.

Contrast-enhanced MRA using a dedicated peripheral vascular coil system increases the diagnostic quality of the lower leg. The runoff vessels can be evaluated. Thus, ceMRA in the presented technique is a diagnostic alternative to arterial angiography.