More Peripheral Visualization of Hepatic Arteries by Using Respiratory-Triggered 3D True Steady-State Free-Precession Projection Magnetic Resonance Angiographic Sequences with Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate respiratory-triggered three-dimensional (3D) true steady-state free-precession (SSFP) projection magnetic resonance angiographic sequences with time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) for visualizing the hepatic arteries and to optimize the image acquisition protocol. Materials and Methods: A 1.5-T clinical magnetic resonance imager was used to perform abdominal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in 25 consecutive patients before transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or surgery. We compared two selective space-labeling inversion pulse (tag pulse) patterns (Patterns I and II, oblique and parallel tag pulses, respectively). Two experienced radiologists evaluated the number of hepatic arterial branches visible on the acquired MRA images, and the results were referenced with those on images from intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography. Results: Images were acquired from all patients. The two radiologists clearly visualized branches of the left and right hepatic arteries. More peripheral hepatic arterial branches were identified in MRA images captured by using tag pulse Pattern I than in those acquired by using Pattern II (P P > 0.05). Conclusion: Non-contrast-enhanced Time-SLIP hepatic MRA with true SSFP allowed selective visualization of peripheral hepatic vessels.