Impact of source data on the interpretation of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the lower limbs.

Andoni P Toms,Paul N Malcolm,James Cannon,Mark Lewis,Allan Clark,Kevin Gill,Madhavi Venumbaka

doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-263

Abstract

BackgroundThe primary purpose of this study is to examine whether use of source data is effective in increasing the number of arterial segments that can be interpreted from maximum intensity projections of lower limb MR angiograms. Correlation between sites of arterial disease and venous contamination was also measured. Interpretation of source data is performed routinely by radiologists, but the value of this has not been well studied with randomized studies.ResultsThe proportion of segments visible above the knee was 87% using maximal intensity projection alone (MIP) and 88% when the MIP was combined with source data. The proportions were 67% for MIP and 72% for MIP plus source data below the knee. There was substantial agreement between presence of arterial disease and venous contamination in the calf and thigh.ConclusionThe use of source data increases the number of assessable segments, but not individuals, by a statistically significant but small amount (1.2%, p <0.05). This study supports the association between arterial disease and venous contamination.

Highlights

The primary purpose of this study is to examine whether use of source data is effective in increasing the number of arterial segments that can be interpreted from maximum intensity projections of lower limb MR angiograms.Correlation between sites of arterial disease and venous contamination was measured
The number of segments above the knee and below the knee joint that were patent (0-50%, 51-99%), not seen (NS) and not seen because of venous contamination’ (NSVC) was recorded for both the maximal intensity projection alone (MIP) only and MIP plus source data MRA (Table 2)
Venous contamination affects a proportion of arterial segments at CE-MRA

Summary

Introduction

The primary purpose of this study is to examine whether use of source data is effective in increasing the number of arterial segments that can be interpreted from maximum intensity projections of lower limb MR angiograms. Correlation between sites of arterial disease and venous contamination was measured. Contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA) of the lower limbs has high sensitivity and specificity and is an alternative to conventional angiography [1,2]. The prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease lies between 3% and 10% in the general population, increasing to 15% to 20% in persons older than years. The incidence of critical limb ischaemia (CLI) is lower. There are approximately between 500 and 1000 new cases of CLI every year in a European or North.

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Conclusion