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Updated: May 16, 2026

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Published on: June 2, 2015
[Optimal protocol of MR contrast imaging in diabetic foot]
Chang-Xian Li1, He-Han Tang, Hui-Li Guo
1Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To identify the optimal protocol of MR contrast imaging in diabetic foot.
Methods:
20 patients with diabetic feet were enrolled and examined with 3D FLASH-MRA, 3D VIBE-WE, 2D SE-FS, 2D TSE-FS and 2D FLASH-FS at a 1.5T MR scanner for vascular changes in feet. Their effectiveness in displaying blood vessels, venous aliasing and articular cartilage, as well as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast ratio (CR) of plantar skins calcaneus, flexor digitorum brevis, dorsal artery, and talocalcaneal joint cartilage in diabetic feet were compared.
Results:
(1) 3D FLASH-MRA was better in displaying blood vessels and venous aliasing than the others (P < 0.05); (2) 3D VIBE-WE was better in displaying articular cartilage than 2D SE-FS, 2D TSE-FS and 2D FLASH-FS (P < 0.05); (3) 3D VIBE-WE had higher SNR and CR of plantar skins, dorsal artery, talocalcaneal joint cartilage, calcaneus, and flexor digitorum brevis than the others (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
3D VIBE-WE is the preferred sequence for T1 weighted imaging with contrast in diabetic feet. It can also serve as the supplemental sequence of 3D FLASH-MRA in MR angiography.
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