Clinical application of ultra-high resolution compressed sensing time-of-flight MR angiography at 7T to detect small vessel pathology.

Abstract

3D time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography (MRA) benefits from ultra-high-field MRI (≥7T) due to improved contrast and increased signal-to-noise ratio. However, high-resolution TOF MRA at 7T usually requires longer acquisition times. In addition, relatively higher specific absorption rate (SAR) at 7T limits the choice of optimal pulse sequence parameters, especially if venous saturation is employed. Here, we illustrate the clinical application of ultra-high resolution cerebral 7T TOF MRA using compressed sensing in cases of artery of Percheron and lacunar infarcts, which showed superior resolution and exquisite details pertinent to the clinical diagnosis. The technical challenges associated with high-resolution 7T imaging were alleviated by optimization of sequence parameters and utilization of compressed sensing acceleration.