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Intracranial circulation: preliminary clinical results with three-dimensional (volume) MR angiography
T J Masaryk1, M T Modic, J S Ross
1Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, OH 44106.
Insights
This study evaluated a magnetic resonance angiography technique for assessing intracranial circulation. The technique proved useful for diagnosing cerebrovascular disease, particularly aneurysms and occlusive disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebrovascular disease diagnosis relies on accurate intracranial circulation assessment.
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a key imaging modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical utility of a specific fast imaging with steady precession (FISP) MRA technique.
- To evaluate its effectiveness in diagnosing intracranial circulation abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- FISP MRA sequence applied to 18 controls and 40 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease.
- Detailed sequence parameters included specific repetition time, echo time, and velocity/acceleration compensation.
Main Results:
- 94% of control images and 72% of patient images were diagnostically useful.
- The technique accurately visualized intracranial circulation, patent aneurysms, vessel displacement, and large-vessel occlusive disease.
Conclusions:
- FISP MRA is clinically useful for evaluating intracranial circulation and diagnosing cerebrovascular disease.
- It offers advantages in specific conditions but has limitations regarding field of view and slow flow depiction.
Abstract:
The authors assessed the clinical utility of a magnetic resonance angiography technique in the evaluation of intracranial circulation. Eighteen patients with a low likelihood of cerebrovascular disease (control group) and 40 patients with suspected cerebrovascular disease were imaged with a FISP (fast imaging with steady precession) sequence (repetition time of 50 msec, echo time of 15 msec, velocity compensation in the read and section-select directions with acceleration compensation in the read direction, 15 degrees anisotropic volume, and a 1.25-mm partition thickness). Ninety-four percent of images in the control group and 72% of images in the group with cerebrovascular disease were considered useful for diagnosis. This technique can provide accurate images of intracranial circulation and can be performed in conjunction with two-dimensional spin-echo or gradient-echo imaging. It was most useful in the evaluation of patent intracranial aneurysms, vessel displacement, and large-vessel occlusive disease. Disadvantages included limited field of view, persistent signal voids, limited spatial resolution, and inadequate depiction of lesions with slow flow.