Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography in a single breath-hold: a novel technique.

Abstract

Conventional three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) techniques used routinely for imaging arteries and veins suffen from two effects that undermine their utility. First, the signal is lost in distal segments because of progressive saturation effects [1 , 2]. Second, conventional 3D TOF magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with a single acquisition requires 10-12 mm. Therefore, any voluntary or involuntary motion during this period tends to obscure the whole set of 3D images. We describe a novel technique that performs 3D MRA in a single breath hold in which saturation effects and artifacts due to motion are completely removed. With this technique, the signal intensity of blood is exploited by rapid reduction of its Ti relaxation time by IV administration of (0.1 mmol/kg) gadopentetate dimeglumine and imaging immediately after the injection during breath-hold. The purpose of this work is to show the utility of this novel technique in visualizing known on suspected vascular disorders.