MR angiography of the extracranial carotid arteries

As described earlier, if MR angiography is to replace conventional angiography, the entire course of the carotid arteries should be imaged. De Marco et al describe initial success in imaging the entire circulation from the aortic arch through the circle of Willis, combining 2-D and 3-D TOF methods without gadolinium, electrocardiograph gating or breath holding. The technique requires 1 to 1.5 hours of imaging time, and accuracy in establishing tandem lesions is not yet established. It is likely that future refinements will allow for more widespread acceptance of MR angiography as a sometime alternative to conventional angiography.