Routine Use of Three-Dimensional Contrast-Enhanced Moving-Table MR Angiography in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease: Comparison with Selective Digital Subtraction Angiography

Purpose To compare the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced (CE) three-dimensional (3D) moving-table magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with that of selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for routine clinical investigation in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Methods Thirty-eight patients underwent CE 3D moving-table MR angiography of the pelvic and peripheral arteries. A commercially available large-field-of-view adapter and a dedicated peripheral vascular phased-array coil were used. MR angiograms were evaluated for grade of arterial stenosis, diagnostic quality, and presence of artifacts. MR imaging results for each patient were compared with those of selective DSA. Results Two hundred and twenty-six arterial segments in 38 patients were evaluated by both selective DSA and MR angiography. No complications related to MR angiography were observed. There was agreement in stenosis classification in 204 (90.3%) segments; MR angiography overgraded 16 (7%) segments and undergraded 6 (2.7%) segments. Compared with selective DSA, MR angiography provided high sensitivity and specificity and excellent interobserver agreement for detection of severe stenosis (97% and 95%, κ = 0.9 ± 0.03) and moderate stenosis (96.5% and 94.3%, κ = 0.9 ± 0.03). Conclusion Compared with selective DSA, moving-table MR angiography proved to be an accurate, noninvasive method for evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and may thus serve as an alternative to DSA in clinical routine.     

Diabetes and peripheral arterial occlusive disease: prospective comparison of contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography with conventional digital subtraction angiography

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for identifying and evaluating arteries of the distal calf and foot in diabetic patients with severe arterial occlusive disease who will undergo distal bypass surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four feet of 24 consecutive patients with diabetes and limb-threatening lower extremity ischemia were prospectively imaged using an ultrafast three-dimensional fast low-angle shot sequence on a 1.5-T MR scanner. All patients also underwent DSA of the diseased extremity within 5 days. Images were interpreted in a randomized manner by two observers in conference. Each lower extremity was divided into seven potential arterial segments. Image analysis included the detection of patent, stenosed, or occluded vessel segments. A vascular surgeon formulated treatment plans on the basis of findings from DSA and then formulated treatment plans on the basis of findings from both DSA and MR angiography. RESULTS: MR angiography was significantly better than DSA in revealing peripheral runoff vessels (p < 0.001). In nine (38%) of the 24 patients, MR angiography showed patent pedal vessels suitable for distal bypass grafting that were not revealed by DSA. Because of the results of MR angiography, treatment plans changed in seven of the nine patients in whom patent vessels were subsequently used as target vessels for distal pedal bypass grafts. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography is superior to DSA in revealing patent vessel segments of the foot in diabetic patients with severe arterial occlusive disease. Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography should be part of the diagnostic algorithm for patients in whom pedal bypass grafting is a therapeutic option.     

Whole-body MR angiography using a novel 32-receiving-channel MR system with surface coil technology: first clinical experience

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of detecting atherosclerotic vascular disease using an innovative magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) protocol in combination with a dedicated whole-body MR scanner with new surface coil technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 volunteers and eight patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) were examined at 1.5 T. Conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the symptomatic region was available as a reference standard in all eight patients. Depending on subjects' size, four to five three-dimensional data sets were acquired using an adapted injection protocol. Images were assessed independently by two readers for vascular pathology. Additionally, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were measured. RESULTS: Whole-body MRA yielded excellent sensitivity and specificity of more than 95% for both readers with high interobserver agreement (k = 0.93). Surface coil signal reception rendered a high SNR (mean 151.28 +/- 54.04) and CNR (mean 120.75 +/- 46.47). Despite lower SNR and CNR of the cranial and cervical vessels, a two-step injection protocol exhibited less venous superposition and therefore proved to be superior compared to single-bolus injection. CONCLUSION: Our approach provides accurate noninvasive high-resolution imaging of systemic atherosclerotic disease, covering the arterial vasculature from intracranial arteries to distal runoff vessels. The recently introduced MR scanner and coil technology is feasible to significantly increase the performance of whole-body MRA.     

Contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography in occlusive disease of the pelvic and lower limb arteries: results of a prospective intraindividual comparative study with digital subtraction angiography in 76 patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical use of MR angiography (MRA) for examining the pelvic and lower limb arteries in patients with arterial occlusive disease. METHOD: Seventy-six patients with clinical signs of peripheral arterial occlusive disease were included in the study. MRA was performed using a fast contrast-enhanced high-resolution 3D technique that covered the area from the distal abdominal aorta to the distal lower limbs in two examination steps. RESULTS: In all patients, diagnostic images comparable with those of conventional intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) could be obtained. No false-negative findings were seen in the iliac, femoral, or popliteal arteries. Ten to 16% of the mild stenoses and 6-14% of the severe stenoses, mainly in the crural vessels, were overgraded compared with intraarterial DSA. Particularly in patients with proximal severe obstructions or occlusions, the crural segments could be depicted more clearly due to decreased arterial runoff in conventional angiography. CONCLUSION: The consistency of the excellent depiction of the vascular territories of the distal aorta and the pelvic and lower limb arteries in a standardized setting suggests great potential for the use of MRA in the primary diagnosis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.     

Pelvic and lower extremity arterial imaging: diagnostic performance of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography

OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic performance of a three-dimensional MR angiography-based strategy was assessed with regard to its ability to characterize the arterial vasculature from the aortic bifurcation to the lower extremity runoff vessels. A single-injection, two-station protocol in combination with a lower-extremity vascular coil was used. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Both conventional digital subtraction angiography and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography with a dedicated peripheral vascular coil were performed in 61 patients with suspected peripheral vascular disease. In a prospective analysis, one reviewer evaluated the digital subtraction angiographic images and a second reviewer evaluated the MR angiographic images; both were unaware of the results of the other imaging technique. Each vascular segment (29 segments per patient) was evaluated for the presence of occlusive vessel disease. The following grading system was applied: 0, normal; 1, vessel irregularity with a luminal reduction of less than 10%; 2, mild stenosis (lumen reduction, 10-49%); 3, severe stenosis (lumen reduction, 50-99%); and 4, occlusion (lumen reduction, 100%). In 11 patients surgical graft patency was assessed. RESULTS: MR angiography provided an image quality comparable with that of digital subtraction angiography. Overall sensitivity and specificity for MR angiography were 92% and 96.6%, respectively, for the detection of hemodynamically significant disease and 92.3% and 99.4%, respectively, for the detection of occlusions. CONCLUSION: Two-station contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography with a dedicated lower-extremity vascular coil proved effective enough to consider it as a noninvasive alternative to digital subtraction angiography in the assessment of the pelvic and lower extremity arterial vasculature.     

Contrast-enhanced moving-table MR angiography: prospective comparison to catheter arteriography for treatment planning in peripheral arterial occlusive disease

PURPOSE: Prospective comparison of contrast-enhanced moving-table magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to catheter arteriography in endovascular and surgical treatment planning in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients scheduled for catheter arteriography for lower extremity arterial occlusive disease underwent contrast-enhanced moving-table MR angiography immediately prior to arteriography. A treatment plan was determined by the vascular surgeon, based on MR angiography, who was blinded to the catheter arteriogram. The treatment plan determined by the MR angiogram was compared to the final treatment plan, which was based on the catheter arteriogram and intraluminal pressure measurements. RESULTS: Treatment plans based on MR angiography and catheter arteriography were identical in 10 of 13 patients (71%). For identifying lesions resulting in intervention, MR angiography had sensitivity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 92%. MR angiography had a treatment specific predictive value of 88% for each lesion identified, and 95% for lesions identified in patients evaluated for claudication. If treatment plans were based on MR angiography only, 46% of patients would have avoided catheter arteriography. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced moving-table MR angiography may be an effective alternative to catheter arteriography in endovascular and surgical treatment planning in selected patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, but larger studies are necessary to confirm this.     

多层螺旋CT血管成像与外周动脉疾病治疗方案选择

目的：探讨以多层螺旋CT血管成像（MDCTA）为依据制定外周动脉闭塞性疾病（PAOD）治疗方案的可靠性。方法：对38例PAOD患者的MDCTA检查资料和其中20例数字减影血管造影（DSA）资料进行回顾性分析。由血管外科专家采用盲法分别根据MDCTA和DSA诊断结果为主要依据并结合临床症状、体征进行分析,对病变血管段制定出治疗方案。结果：通过CTA和DSA两种检查方法共评价了402段血管,两种方法选择的治疗方案差异无统计学意义,χ2=3.4,P=0.493。结论：MDCTA大范围血管成像是准确、无创的检查技术,以MDCTA发现为主要依据制定治疗方案是非常准确的。     

MSCTA诊断下肢动脉闭塞性疾病

目的：探讨16层螺旋CT对下肢动脉闭塞性疾病的诊断价值。方法：对40例临床可疑外周动脉闭塞性疾病的患者行下肢动脉16层螺旋CT血管成像,其中30例患者于CTA检查前或后两周内行DSA检查,以DSA为金标准,评价CTA诊断的准确性。结果：CTA诊断下肢动脉狭窄（≥50%）的敏感度为95.56%（129/135）,特异度为98.20%（545/555）,符合率97.68%（674/690）,阳性预测值98.88%（176/178）,阴性预测值99.61%（512/514）。结论：16层螺旋CT对诊断下肢动脉闭塞性疾病有较高的敏感性、特异性和准确性,可部分替代DSA检查。     

Peripheral arteries in diabetic patients: standard bolus-chase and time-resolved MR angiography

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the diagnostic performance of a combination of standard bolus-chase magnetic resonance (MR) angiography and MR angiography with time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS) for depicting severity of peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremity, including the pedal arteries, in diabetic patients with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethical committee approved this study; written informed consent was obtained from patients. Standard three-station and TRICKS MR angiography of the calf and foot were performed in 31 consecutive diabetic patients (23 men, eight women; mean age, 67 years; range, 43-81 years). Two readers separately assessed images of arterial segments as diagnostic or nondiagnostic and graded stenosis. Results were compared with those at DSA when the corresponding arterial segments were considered diagnostic at DSA. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to determine if a significant difference between imaging techniques existed, and kappa statistics were used to determine interobserver agreement. RESULTS: The difference between standard MR angiography and DSA regarding the number of diagnostic segments in the thigh was not significant (P = .50). A significantly higher number of calf and foot segments was considered diagnostic at TRICKS MR angiography than at standard MR angiography (P < .025). Sixteen of 26 segments in the foot that were considered nondiagnostic at DSA were considered diagnostic at TRICKS MR angiography. Average sensitivity of standard MR angiography for depicting hemodynamically significant arterial stenosis was 84% (reader 1) and 83% (reader 2) in the thigh and 78% (reader 1) and 80% (reader 2) in the calf. For both readers, average specificity was 97% in the thigh and 90% in the calf. Sensitivity and specificity of TRICKS MR angiography in the calf and foot were improved compared with those at standard MR angiography. CONCLUSION: TRICKS MR angiography of the distal calf and pedal vessels is superior to standard MR angiography regarding the number of diagnostic segments and assessment of the degree of luminal narrowing.     

Aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries assessed with 16-detector row CT angiography: prospective comparison with digital subtraction angiography

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare the accuracy of 16-detector row computed tomographic (CT) angiography with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard in the assessment of aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries in patients with peripheral arterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained. A total of 39 consecutive patients (27 men [mean age, 66 years] and 12 women [mean age, 64 years]) with peripheral arterial disease underwent both conventional DSA and 16-detector row CT angiography. For data analysis, the arterial vascular system was divided into 35 segments. A total of 1365 arterial segments were analyzed for arterial stenosis by two independent blinded readers using a four-point grading system (grade 1, <10% luminal narrowing; grade 2, 10%-49% luminal narrowing; grade 3, 50%-99% luminal narrowing; grade 4, occlusion). Interobserver agreements were calculated by using kappa statistics. A third independent blinded reader assessed possible reasons for disagreements between 16-detector row CT angiographic findings and conventional DSA findings. Effective radiation dose was calculated for both imaging modalities. RESULTS: Sixteen-detector row CT angiographic and conventional DSA findings were diagnostic in all vascular segments. Compared with conventional DSA, the sensitivity and specificity of 16-detector row CT angiography with regard to detection of hemodynamically significant stenosis in all 35 arterial segments were 96% and 97%, respectively, for both readers. Readers 1 and 2 overestimated arterial stenosis in 42 (3%) and 34 (2%) arterial segments, respectively, and underestimated arterial stenosis in 13 (1%) and 10 (1%) arterial segments, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent (kappa = 0.84-1.00). Presence of anteroposteriorly located luminal narrowing and extensive vascular wall calcification were considered main reasons for disagreements between imaging modalities. Effective radiation dose was lower for 16-detector row CT angiography (1.6-3.9 mSv) than for conventional DSA (6.4-16.0 mSv). CONCLUSION: Sixteen-detector row CT angiography is an accurate and reliable noninvasive alternative to conventional DSA in the assessment of aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries in patients with peripheral arterial disease.     

32接收通道并行采集全身MR血管成像技术的临床应用初探

目的初步探讨32接收通道并行采集全身MR血管成像技术在系统性动脉病变中的临床使用价值。方法30例接受三维增强全身MR血管成像(3D CE MRA)检查。仪器为1.5 T成像仪(M agnetom Avanto,S iem ens AG)配置32个接收通道和并行采集技术。病例包括临床诊断或怀疑的周围动脉闭塞性病变(PAOD)17例,多发性大动脉炎3例,结节性多动脉炎1例,Stanford B型夹层4例以及胸和(或)腹主动脉瘤5例。共使用68个表面线圈单元包绕患者全身。3D CE MRA共分4段采集,每段视野(FOV)为375 mm×500 mm,通过自动移床分段扫描,第1~3段使用并行采集技术。对比剂用量为0.3 mmol/kg,分两相注射,前0.15 mmol/kg注射流率为1.3 m l/s,后0.15 mmol/kg注射流率为0.6 m l/s。总的扫描长度约188 cm,覆盖颈动脉到小腿动脉分支(不包括颅内动脉和冠状动脉)。分析每段动脉的图像质量、各种动脉血管病变的显示效果,并同其他影像检查对照(包括DSA 9例,CT血管造影8例,单段MRA 1例)。结果所有病例均顺利完成全身3D CE MRA检查。动脉图像质量好,平均检查时间为17.4 m in。17例PAOD患者中发现70段下肢动脉病变,其中7例3D CE MRA显示了除下肢动脉病变以外的其他部位动脉狭窄。4例血管炎患者3D CE MRA显示全身多处动脉管腔不规则、狭窄或闭塞、动脉瘤以及侧支血管。3D CE MRA还清楚显示夹层和动脉瘤的严重程度和范围。与其他血管成像技术比较,除1例3D CE MRA高估血管狭窄程度外,其他均相符合。结论配置了32个接收通道和并行采集技术的新型MR成像仪能顺利完成全身3D CE MRA检查,该法操作简便,检查时间短,在全面显示各种系统性动脉病变的临床使用方面有重要价值。     

Peripheral vascular occlusive disease: evaluation with contrast-enhanced moving-bed MR angiography versus digital subtraction angiography in 106 patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to compare contrast-enhanced moving-bed MR angiography and digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of peripheral vascular occlusive disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective report includes 106 patients (45 women, 61 men) with known or suspected peripheral vascular occlusive disease who underwent MR angiography and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography of the peripheral arteries. MR angiography was performed on a 1.0-T unit using a moving-bed technique. Every leg was divided into 14 vascular segments, and severity of disease was scored in four categories. Digital subtraction angiography was the standard of reference. RESULTS: In the 106 patients, 2378 vessel segments were evaluated with both imaging modalities. In 2156 segments, MR angiography and digital subtraction angiography were concordant for stenosis classification, in 188 segments the two modalities differed in one category, and in 24 segments they differed in two categories. MR angiography achieved sensitivity and specificity of 96.7% and 95.8%, respectively, for differentiating nonsignificant from hemodynamically significant stenosis (kappa = 0.91). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that MR angiography is an accurate imaging modality in clinical practice. Our data support the concept that MR angiography can modify the diagnosis of suspected peripheral vascular occlusive disease.     

Intraarterial MR angiography and DSA in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease: prospective comparison

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of intraarterial magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in the depiction of significant stenoses and occlusions, with intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) serving as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Approval of the local ethics committee and informed consent were obtained. Twenty patients (11 men; nine women; age range, 48-86 years; mean age, 69.5 years+/-11.2 [standard deviation]) with symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) were prospectively enrolled. After percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), intraarterial MR angiography was performed in the thigh and the calf with a 1.5-T MR imager in two consecutive runs. Intraarterial MR angiography was performed with a low-dose injection protocol (ie, two 20-mL injections of a 50-mmol gadolinium-based contrast agent). Moderate stenoses (luminal narrowing50%) or vessel occlusions; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Intraarterial DSA revealed 78 moderate stenoses, 57 significant stenoses, and 28 occlusions. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of intraarterial MR angiography in the characterization of significant stenoses or occlusions were 92% (95% CI: 72%, 99%), 94% (95% CI: 82%, 98%), and 93%, respectively, in femoropopliteal arteries and 93% (95% CI: 83%, 98%), 71% (95% CI: 51%, 86%), and 86%, respectively, in infrapopliteal arteries. The main artifact observed with intraarterial MR angiography was venous contamination (12%). CONCLUSION: Intraarterial MR angiography is an accurate method used to depict significant stenoses and occlusions in lower extremity arteries with a low-dose injection protocol.     

Peripheral arterial disease: sensitivity-encoded multiposition MR angiography compared with intraarterial angiography and conventional multiposition MR angiography

A sensitivity-encoded magnetic resonance (MR) angiography protocol was developed in which imaging times in the pelvic and upper-leg positions were reduced and isotropic submillimeter voxel volumes were acquired in the lower-leg position. To achieve this, sensitivity encoding and random central-k-space segmentation in a centric filling order were applied. Results with this technique were compared with those with midstream aortic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) (as the reference standard) and conventional MR angiography in 15 patients with peripheral vascular disease. The results show that sensitivity-encoded MR angiography demonstrates increased diagnostic accuracy in comparison to that with conventional MR angiography and depicts more open infragenual arterial segments compared with both midstream aortic DSA and conventional MR angiography.     

64层螺旋CT对下肢动脉疾病的诊断及其临床价值

目的 探讨64层螺旋CT对下肢动脉狭窄闭塞性疾病的诊断价值. 资料与方法 对40例下肢动脉闭塞性疾病患者行64层CT容积扫描,15例1周内同时行数字减影血管造影（DSA）.将下肢血管分成8段,每段血管的狭窄程度被分为：正常、轻度狭窄、中度狭窄、重度狭窄、闭塞5个级别.将DSA与CTA结果进行比较. 结果 共对198个动脉段进行研究,对其狭窄程度显示一致的有191个,被CTA高估6个,低估1个.一致性检验Kappa值为0.953,P=0.017＜0.05,两者分析结果的一致性较好. 结论 64层螺旋CTA是下肢动脉狭窄硬化性疾病的可靠评估方法.     

16层螺旋CT在下肢动脉闭塞性疾病中的应用价值

目的:探讨16层螺旋CT血管成像术在诊断下肢动脉闭塞性疾病中的应用价值。方法:对42例临床疑为外周动脉闭塞性疾病的患者行下肢动脉16层螺旋CT血管造影(CTA),扫描范围从肾动脉水平达足底。薄层重建横断面图像传入HP xw8000工作站,进行血管三维重建。所有患者于CTA检查前或后2周内行数字减影血管造影(DSA)。以DSA为金标准,评价CTA诊断的准确性。结果:在882个动脉节段中,870个节段在CTA与DSA均可以显示,在DSA图像上,狭窄闭塞的节段共260个(轻度狭窄32段,中度狭窄24段,重度狭窄44段,闭塞160段),最大密度投影(MIP)显示中度以上狭窄的敏感性、特异性及准确性分别为99.1%、99.7%、99.5%。结论:16层螺旋CT在评估下肢动脉闭塞性疾病方面与常规血管造影结果无明显差别,是下肢动脉闭塞性疾病理想的影像学检查手段,可部分替代DSA检查。     

Whole-body MR vascular screening detects unsuspected concomitant vascular disease in coronary heart disease patients

Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients often show atherosclerotic vascular disease in other vascular territories. We evaluated how often whole-body MR imaging detects concomitant arterial pathologies in CHD patients, and how often these pathologies were not known to the patients previously. Of 4,814 participants in the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, 327 reported CHD (i.e., previous coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty); of those, 160 patients (mean age 66.4 years) were examined using MR of the brain, the heart (excluding the coronary arteries), and whole-body MR angiography. The prevalence of each vascular pathology was assessed, correlated to the others and compared to patients’ histories. Of the 160 CHD patients, 16 (10%) showed MR signs of stroke, and 77 (48.1%) had a stenosis >50% in at least one extracerebral peripheral artery (other than the coronaries), including 28 (17.5%) with relevant renal artery stenoses, and 20 (12.5%) with relevant extracerebral internal carotid artery stenoses. False negative histories were reported in 12 of 81 cases with myocardial infarctions, and in 11 of 16 cases with cerebrovascular infarctions. This whole-body atherosclerosis MR screening program allows previously unknown concomitant vascular disease to be detected in coronary heart disease patients. Its prospective value should be assessed in further studies.     

移床-血管示踪MR血管成像在下肢动脉疾病中的临床应用

目的研究移床-血管示踪MRA在下肢动脉疾病中的应用价值,探讨移床技术的优势。方法对36例临床疑有下肢动脉疾病的患者行移床-血管示踪三维动态增强MRA检查,其中急性下肢动脉闭塞症5例,检查后行急诊手术,慢性下肢动脉闭塞31例,其中10例行DSA检查。15例可评价病例以DSA或手术结果作为金标准进行效果评价。结果36例病人均满意地显示了完整的下肢动脉血管。将每条下肢分为14个血管节段观察,15例可评价病例共观察420段血管节段,显示可比动脉节段102段。与DSA或手术结果比较,两者诊断符合率为93.14%(95/102),MRA诊断的敏感度为100%,特异度为100%。5例急性下肢动脉闭塞症与手术结果比较,MRA对血管闭塞长度的评价与手术无统计学差异(t=2.251,P>0.05)。结论移床-血管示踪MRA与DSA或手术比较,具有很好的一致性,能全面、准确地评价下肢动脉病变,是一种可靠的、无创的、有应用价值的检查方法。     

Atherosclerotic disease: whole-body cardiovascular imaging with MR system with 32 receiver channels and total-body surface coil technology--initial clinical results

In this prospective study, the feasibility of a comprehensive cardiovascular imaging protocol with a dedicated whole-body 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imager with 32 receiver channels in 34 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease was evaluated. Informed consent and institutional review board approval were obtained. Three-dimensional MR angiographic data sets were acquired with adapted injection protocol. Cardiac functional imaging and delayed-enhancement imaging were performed, as were fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery imaging of the brain and time-of-flight MR angiography of the intracranial blood vessels. Sensitivity and specificity for depiction of significant vascular stenosis (> 70%) were 96%, with conventional digital subtraction angiography as the standard. Substantial microangiopathic tissue alterations (n = 4) and/or cerebral infarction (n = 4) were diagnosed in seven patients. In seven patients, subendocardial or transmural delayed enhancement was detected in corresponding regions, indicating prior myocardial infarction. Previously unknown findings diagnosed with MR imaging required midterm follow-up or therapy in 24 patients, whereas change of therapy or immediate treatment was necessary in three. For patients suspected of having systemic atherosclerotic disease, comprehensive risk assessment is feasible within 30 minutes.     

Detection of atherosclerosis: systemic imaging for systemic disease with whole-body three-dimensional MR angiography--initial experience

In 100 consecutive patients with peripheral vascular disease whole-body three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) angiography was performed by using the rolling table platform system with a 1.5-T MR unit and five three-dimensional MR angiographic data sets during 72 seconds (0.2 mol per kilogram of body weight of gadobenate dimeglumine). Apart from the proved peripheral vascular disease, additional clinically relevant disease was found in 33 segments in 25 patients as follows: renal arterial narrowing (n = 15), carotid arterial stenosis (n = 12), subclavian arterial stenosis (n = 2), and abdominal aortic aneurysms (n = 4). Confirmatory studies performed in 11 patients in this study revealed no false-positive or false-negative findings at examination.