Role of Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Evaluation of Brain Pathologies

Abstract

Background: MR angiography is the latest technique for the evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases. It is now used commonly for the evaluation of brain pathologies. The advantage is it is a non-invasive method of brain vasculature. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of Magnetic Resonance Angiography in the detection of brain pathologies and to study the Role of Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations, Aneurysms, and Cerebral infarctions. Methods: Data for the study was collected from patients with clinically suspected cerebral lesions or from patients, in whom previous images depicted cerebral lesions, undergoing MRA for evaluation of cerebral lesions Patients underwent MR imaging including TOF Magnetic resonance angiography according to the set protocols after obtaining informed consent. All these patients had undergone detailed clinical evaluation by the referring neurosurgery unit. Results: In this study, a total of n=32 cases were included out of which n=6(18.75%) were AVM, n=10(31.25%) were Aneurysms, and n=16(50%) were cases of infarcts. Of the total n=16 infarct cases n=8(50%) were found in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) n=4(25%) in ACOM and n=2 in PCOM, as well as Internal carotid artery (ICA). Of the MCA cases n=5(62.5%) were right-sided and n=3(37.5%) were left-sided. Conclusion: MRA is now in routine use as a non-invasive tool for imaging the cerebralvasculature. In cerebrovascular disease, it is the investigation of choice forpatients who are suspected/ increased risk of having unruptured intracranial aneurysms, and intracranial vascular disease associated with acute infarction ,intracranial dissection of the carotid and/or vertebral arteries, and follow up cases of Cerebral AVMs.