Non–contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the thoracic aorta using cardiac and navigator-gated magnetization-prepared three-dimensional steady-state free precession

✍ Scribed by Yasuo Amano; Katsuya Takahama; Shinichiro Kumita

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 304 KB
• Volume: 27
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21256

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the usefulness of non–contrast‐enhanced MR angiography using cardiac and navigator‐gated magnetization‐prepared three‐dimensional (3D) steady‐state free precession (SSFP) imaging for the diagnosis of diseases of the thoracic aorta.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐two patients with diseases of the thoracic aorta were examined using a 1.5 Tesla unit. Non–contrast‐enhanced MR angiography was done using parasagittal 3D SSFP combined with cardiac‐gating and k‐space weighted navigator‐gating techniques, using T2‐prepared and fat‐suppression pulses. Imaging quality and the diagnostic capability of this technique were compared with the imaging quality of 2D SSFP or contrast‐enhanced 3D MR angiography and with final diagnoses.

Results

Non–contrast‐enhanced 3D MR angiography provided signal‐to‐noise and contrast‐to‐noise ratios of the thoracic aorta comparable to non–contrast‐enhanced 2D or contrast‐enhanced 3D MR angiography (P > 0.17). This imaging technique gave accurate diagnoses in 19 of the 22 patients.

Conclusion

Non–contrast‐enhanced MR angiography using cardiac and navigator‐gated magnetization‐prepared 3D SSFP technique was useful for the diagnosis of diseases of the thoracic aorta. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.