Magnetic resonance angiography as a technique for the visualization of hemodialysis shunts

In order to test the suitability of magnetic resonance angiography for the visualization of Brescia-Cimino hemodialysis shunts, 20 patients (8 women, 12 men, aged 24-69 years) were examined with this technique. The shunt arm was placed in an extremity coil. The time-of-flight method was applied. Examination time was less than 15 min. Arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the shunt arm was carried out additionally in 8 patients in whom pathological results had been obtained. Surgery was performed on 2 patients. In all cases, the feeding artery, anastomosis, and shunt were clearly visible. The results corresponded exactly to those of DSA and, in the patients who had undergone surgery, also to the situs. The patients stated that the examination technique was not very disturbing. Magnetic resonance angiography in the time-of-flight technique seems to be recommendable for the examination of Brescia-Cimino dialysis shunts. Compared to DSA, it has major advantages: it is noninvasive, and no ionizing radiation or contrast medium are associated with the procedure.