Dynamic 3D MR Research Articles

Electric potential energy optimized 3D radial sampling trajectories for MRI

A novel method for creating “golden” 3D center-out radial MRI sampling trajectories was developed and analyzed. This method, called ELECTRO (ELECTRic potential energy Optimized), uses repulsive forces to minimize electric potential energy. An objective function \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:G\\left(S\\right)$$\\end{document}, the electric potential energies of all subsets of consecutive readouts in a 3D radial trajectory, and its reduced form were minimized using a multi-stage optimization strategy. A metric called normalized mean nearest neighbor angular distance (NMNA) was proposed for describing distributions of points on a sphere. ELECTRO and other relevant golden trajectories were compared in silico using NMNA and point spread function analysis. Consecutive readouts from an ELECTRO trajectory were well spread out, with consistent NMNA values across sphere sizes (σNMNA = 0.005) and between regions on the sphere (NMNA ≈ 1.49). Conversely, the supergolden trajectory had poor consistency in NMNA values (σNMNA = 0.090) and clustering (NMNA = 1.28 at the pole with 40,000 readouts) that lead to artifact in the point spread function. Multi-stage optimization was faster than single-stage and obtained lower values of \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\:G\\left(S\\right)$$\\end{document} (e.g., 0.87 vs. 0.91, for a sphere size of 40). In conclusion, ELECTRO trajectories are more golden than other 3D center-out radial trajectories, making them a suitable candidate for dynamic 3D MR imaging.

A variable flip angle golden-angle-ordered 3D stack-of-radial MRI technique for simultaneous proton resonant frequency shift and T1 -based thermometry.

To develop and evaluate a variable-flip-angle golden-angle-ordered 3D stack-of-radial MRI technique for simultaneous proton resonance frequency shift (PRF) and T1 -based thermometry in aqueous and adipose tissues, respectively. The proposed technique acquires multiecho radial k-space data in segments with alternating flip angles to measure 3D temperature maps dynamically on the basis of PRF and T1 . A sliding-window k-space weighted image contrast filter is used to increase temporal resolution. PRF is measured in aqueous tissues and T1 in adipose tissues using fat/water masks. The accuracy for T1 quantification was evaluated in a reference T1 /T2 phantom. In vivo nonheating experiments were conducted in healthy subjects to evaluate the stability of PRF and T1 in the brain, prostate, and breast. The proposed technique was used to monitor high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in ex vivo porcine fat/muscle tissues and compared to temperature probe readings. The proposed technique achieved 3D coverage with 1.1-mm to 1.3-mm in-plane resolution and 2-s to 5-s temporal resolution. During 20 to 30 min of nonheating in vivo scans, the temporal coefficient of variation for T1 was <5% in the brain, prostate, and breast fatty tissues, while the standard deviation of relative PRF temperature change was within 3°C in aqueous tissues. During ex vivo HIFU ablation, the temperatures measured by PRF and T1 were consistent with temperature probe readings, with an absolute mean difference within 2°C. The proposed technique achieves simultaneous PRF and T1 -based dynamic 3D MR temperature mapping in aqueous and adipose tissues. It may be used to improve MRI-guided thermal procedures.

4. Application of a novel retrospective method for liver 4D-MRI

Introduction Liver imaging is challenging due to its constant movement with breathing. In Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), different strategies have been developed for organ movement consideration [1] , [2] , [3] . These methods are limited by the temporal resolution, as well as image quality. A novel retrospective gating method for dynamic 3D MR imaging during free breathing was developed [1] and further improved by Celicanin et al. [4] . This work aims of assessing the method and the reconstruction technique for liver cases. The final clinical application is to improve liver lesion delineation for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Methods The innovative 4D MRI approach has been evaluated for liver motion estimation during entire respiratory cycle on a healthy volunteer. It is based on simultaneous acquisition of 2D images and a navigator set using acceleration CAIPIRINHA technique [4] providing no temporal divergence between them. During the entire acquisition time, the navigator is fixed in the same position, while the image position is changing, in order to cover the entire organ during free breathing [1] . The entire respiratory cycle is acquired, using a modified balanced Steady State Free Precession sequence (bSSFP) and is reconstructed in a retrospective manner ( Fig. 1 ). Images are acquired with a 1.5T MRI (MAGNETOM Aera; Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany), using an 18-channel design body flex coil. The 3.5 mm 2D axial slices are obtained, using the following sequence parameters: TE = 2.27 ms, TR = 591.97 ms, FA = 70 °, FOV = 37 × 37 cm2, matrix = 256 × 246. Total acquisition time is 33.175 s (0.83 s per slice). Results The preliminary results obtained on a healthy volunteer are shown in Fig. 1 . Images are characterized by high resolution and great contrast, making this method promising for liver lesion examination. The reconstruction of 4D MRI and the sequence optimization to cover the entire respiration cycle with the appropriate time sampling is ongoing work. Conclusions The benefit of MRI acquisition in treatment position to improve lesion contouring for liver SBRT has already been demonstrated [5] . The presented 4D MRI method represents a highly time efficient technique for the free breathing liver motion registration, giving the possibility to sort and reconstruct the images according to the respiratory phases. It will allow registration with 4D CT planning, likely to improve delineation accuracy. The same approach can be applied to study moving organs others than liver.

Respiratory motion correction of PET using MR-constrained PET-PET registration.

BackgroundRespiratory motion in positron emission tomography (PET) is an unavoidable source of error in the measurement of tracer uptake, lesion position and lesion size. The introduction of PET-MR dual modality scanners opens a new avenue for addressing this issue. Motion models offer a way to estimate motion using a reduced number of parameters. This can be beneficial for estimating motion from PET, which can otherwise be difficult due to the high level of noise of the data.MethodWe propose a novel technique that makes use of a respiratory motion model, formed from initial MR scan data. The motion model is used to constrain PET-PET registrations between a reference PET gate and the gates to be corrected. For evaluation, PET with added FDG-avid lesions was simulated from real, segmented, ultrashort echo time MR data obtained from four volunteers. Respiratory motion was included in the simulations using motion fields derived from real dynamic 3D MR volumes obtained from the same volunteers.ResultsPerformance was compared to an MR-derived motion model driven method (which requires constant use of the MR scanner) and to unconstrained PET-PET registration of the PET gates. Without motion correction, a median drop in uncorrected lesion {mathrm {SUV}}_{mathrm {peak}} intensity to 78.4 pm 18.6 ,,% and an increase in median head-foot lesion width, specified by a minimum bounding box, to 179 pm 63.7,, % was observed relative to the corresponding measures in motion-free simulations. The proposed method corrected these values to 86.9 pm 13.6,, % (p<0.001) and 100 pm 29.12,, % (p<0.001) respectively, with notably improved performance close to the diaphragm and in the liver. Median lesion displacement across all lesions was observed to be 6.6 pm 5.4,mathrm {mm} without motion correction, which was reduced to 3.5 pm 1.8,mathrm {mm} (p<0.001) with motion correction.DiscussionThis paper presents a novel technique for respiratory motion correction of PET data in PET-MR imaging. After an initial 30 second MR scan, the proposed technique does not require use of the MR scanner for motion correction purposes, making it suitable for MR-intensive studies or sequential PET-MR. The accuracy of the proposed technique was similar to both comparative methods, but robustness was improved compared to the PET-PET technique, particularly in regions with higher noise such as the liver.

A 3D MR-acquisition scheme for non-rigid bulk motion correction in simultaneous PET-MR.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is commonly used to detect tumours and assess the progress of cancer treatment by measuring standardized uptake values (SUV). Physiological motion during data acquisition can negatively impair obtained SUV. Simultaneous PET-MR combines metabolic PET information with high-resolution anatomical MR images and has the potential to minimize motion artefacts. A 3D MR-acquisition scheme is proposed which allows for the automatic detection and correction of non-rigid bulk motion shifts, i.e. changes of the patient’s position leading to non-rigid changes of the patient’s anatomy, in PET and MR images (both T1-weighted gradient echo and T2-weighted turbo spin echo images) without an increase in scan time. Six respiratory gated T1- and T2-weighted 3D data sets with an isotropic resolution of 1.5mm were obtained using a radial phase encoding (RPE) acquisition. Volunteers are asked to move the abdomen during data acquisition resulting in overall 19 movements at arbitrary time points. RPE allows for a retrospective reconstruction of dynamic 3D MR images with different temporal resolutions from the same data. Non-rigid bulk motion is detected and corrected from these dynamic images. A simultaneous PET acquisition is simulated to assess the effect of motion correction on image quality and SUV for lesions with different diameters. Every bulk motion shift was accurately detected and corrected. Non-rigid motion fields describing the different motion states were obtained with an accuracy of 1.71 ± 0.29mm. The PET simulation showed SUV errors of up to 67% due to bulk motion which could be reduced to 10% with the proposed motion compensated approach. The presented MR acquisition scheme yields both high resolution 3D anatomical data and highly accurate non-rigid motion information without an increase in scan time. This method strongly improves both MR and PET image quality and ensures an accurate assessment of tracer uptake.

A 3D MR-acquisition scheme for nonrigid bulk motion correction in simultaneous PET-MR.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly sensitive medical imaging technique commonly used to detect and assess tumor lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high resolution anatomical images with different contrasts and a range of additional information important for cancer diagnosis. Recently, simultaneous PET-MR systems have been released with the promise to provide complementary information from both modalities in a single examination. Due to long scan times, subject nonrigid bulk motion, i.e., changes of the patient's position on the scanner table leading to nonrigid changes of the patient's anatomy, during data acquisition can negatively impair image quality and tracer uptake quantification. A 3D MR-acquisition scheme is proposed to detect and correct for nonrigid bulk motion in simultaneously acquired PET-MR data. A respiratory navigated three dimensional (3D) MR-acquisition with Radial Phase Encoding (RPE) is used to obtain T1- and T2-weighted data with an isotropic resolution of 1.5 mm. Healthy volunteers are asked to move the abdomen two to three times during data acquisition resulting in overall 19 movements at arbitrary time points. The acquisition scheme is used to retrospectively reconstruct dynamic 3D MR images with different temporal resolutions. Nonrigid bulk motion is detected and corrected in this image data. A simultaneous PET acquisition is simulated and the effect of motion correction is assessed on image quality and standardized uptake values (SUV) for lesions with different diameters. Six respiratory gated 3D data sets with T1- and T2-weighted contrast have been obtained in healthy volunteers. All bulk motion shifts have successfully been detected and motion fields describing the transformation between the different motion states could be obtained with an accuracy of 1.71 ± 0.29 mm. The PET simulation showed errors of up to 67% in measured SUV due to bulk motion which could be reduced to less than 10% with the proposed motion compensation approach. A MR acquisition scheme which yields both high resolution 3D anatomical data and highly accurate nonrigid motion information without an increase in scan time is presented. The proposed method leads to a strong improvement in both MR and PET image quality and ensures an accurate assessment of tracer uptake.

3D dynamic pituitary MR imaging with CAIPIRINHA: Initial experience and comparison with 2D dynamic MR imaging

ObjectivesTo evaluate the validity of 3D dynamic pituitary MR imaging with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA), with special emphasis on demarcation of pituitary posterior lobe and stalk. MethodsParticipants comprised 32 patients who underwent dynamic pituitary MR imaging due to pituitary or parasellar lesions. 3D dynamic MR with CAIPIRINHA was performed at 3T with 20-s-interval, precontrast, 1st to 5th dynamic images. Normalized values and enhanced ratios (dynamic postcontrast image values divided by precontrast ones) were compared between 3D and 2D dynamic MR imaging for patients with visual identification of posterior lobe and stalk. ResultsIn 3D, stalk was identified in 29 patients and unidentified in 3, and posterior lobe was identified in 28 and unidentified in 4. In 2D, stalk was identified in 26 patients and unidentified in 6 patients, and posterior lobe was identified in 15 and unidentified in 17. Normalized values of pituitary posterior lobe and stalk were higher in 3D than 2D (P<0.001). No significant difference in enhancement ratio was seen between 3D and 2D. Conclusions3D dynamic pituitary MR provided better identification and higher normalized values of pituitary posterior lobe and stalk than 2D.

Fast dynamic 3D MR spectroscopic imaging with compressed sensing and multiband excitation pulses for hyperpolarized 13C studies

Hyperpolarized 13C MR spectroscopic imaging can detect not only the uptake of the pre-polarized molecule but also its metabolic products in vivo, thus providing a powerful new method to study cellular metabolism. Imaging the dynamic perfusion and conversion of these metabolites provides additional tissue information but requires methods for efficient hyperpolarization usage and rapid acquisitions. In this work, we have developed a time-resolved 3D MR spectroscopic imaging method for acquiring hyperpolarized 13C data by combining compressed sensing methods for acceleration and multiband excitation pulses to efficiently use the magnetization. This method achieved a 2 sec temporal resolution with full volumetric coverage of a mouse, and metabolites were observed for up to 60 sec following injection of hyperpolarized [1-(13)C]-pyruvate. The compressed sensing acquisition used random phase encode gradient blips to create a novel random undersampling pattern tailored to dynamic MR spectroscopic imaging with sampling incoherency in four (time, frequency, and two spatial) dimensions. The reconstruction was also tailored to dynamic MR spectroscopic imaging by applying a temporal wavelet sparsifying transform to exploit the inherent temporal sparsity. Customized multiband excitation pulses were designed with a lower flip angle for the [1-(13)C]-pyruvate substrate given its higher concentration than its metabolic products ([1-(13)C]-lactate and [1-(13)C]-alanine), thus using less hyperpolarization per excitation. This approach has enabled the monitoring of perfusion and uptake of the pyruvate, and the conversion dynamics to lactate and alanine throughout a volume with high spatial and temporal resolution.

Preoperative assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion in endometrial carcinoma: Comparison of multi‐section dynamic MR imaging using a three dimensional FLASH technique and T2‐weighted MR imaging

We aimed to show the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging by comparing T2-weighted images and dynamic 3D MR images in the assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion by endometrial carcinoma. This prospective study included 53 women consecutively diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. The subjects were evaluated by TSE T2-weighted images and 3D FLASH-VIBE dynamic MR images by two radiologists with a special training in gynecology. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values were calculated for each imaging modality with regard to assessment of myometrial and cervical invasion. The diagnostic accuracy of TSE T2-weighted and dynamic 3D FLASH-VIBE MR imaging for the identification of any myometrial invasion were estimated as 64% and 84%, respectively. In the differentiation of deep myometrial invasion from the superficial invasion, the diagnostic accuracy of TSE T2-weighted and dynamic 3D FLASH-VIBE MR images were 75.5%, and 88.7%, respectively. Additionally, in the determining of deep myometrial invasion the sensitivity, the specificity, PPV, and NPV were 76%, 75%, 50%, and 90.9% on T2-weighted images, respectively; 100%, 85%, 68.4%, and 100% on dynamic 3D MR images, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of TSE T2-weighted and dynamic 3D FLASH-VIBE MR images for cervical invasion by endometrial carcinoma were 86%, and 92%, respectively. The multiplanar capabilities of MRI are invaluable to evaluate spreading and margins of an endometrial mass, and the 3D dynamic MR techniques offer the advantages of increased coverage and high spatial resolution. Three dimensional dynamic MR imaging may be recommended in the especially postmenopausal cases before performing potentially curative treatments.

Assessment of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas of the Cavernous Sinuses on 3D Dynamic MR Angiography

Flow voids within the cavernous sinuses and/or certain venous drainage on spin-echo MR imaging and time-of-flight (TOF) flow enhancement on MR angiography (MRA) have indicated high-velocity shunt flow and have been used for screening patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the cavernous sinuses. In this investigation, the capabilities of 3D dynamic MRA as a flow-independent approach and those of conventional MR imaging techniques were compared with selective angiography for the diagnosis of DAVFs of the cavernous sinuses. This retrospective study involved 18 patients with angiographically proved DAVFs of the cavernous sinuses and 12 control subjects. Sixteen partially overlapping sequential MR images were acquired on contrast-enhanced 3D dynamic MRA between the petrosal bone and the orbital roof. Two experienced observers blinded to the clinical data and results of angiography independently graded 3D dynamic MRA, fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging (FSE T2WI), and TOF MRA. The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values and interobserver kappa scores for the diagnosis of DAVFs on 3D dynamic MRA, FSE T2WI, and TOF MRA were 0.99, 0.89, and 0.95; and 0.92, 0.71, and 0.73, respectively. Those for the diagnosis of anterior, posterior, and retrograde cortical venous drainage on 3D dynamic MRA were 0.72, 0.95, and 0.81; and 0.56, 0.50, and 0.49, respectively. In this small series, screening 3D dynamic MRA directly demonstrates DAVFs of the cavernous sinuses and has improved diagnostic capability.

Assessment of bolus injection protocol with appropriate concentration for quantitative assessment of pulmonary perfusion by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MR imaging

To determine the appropriate concentration for quantitative assessment of dynamic contrast-enhanced pulmonary MR imaging. A total of 40 consecutive patients with small bronchioalveolar carcinoma underwent perfusion single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) and three-dimensional (3D) dynamic MR imaging with a 3D radiofrequency spoiled gradient-echo sequence. In each patient, 5 mL of contrast media with 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mmol/mL were administered at a rate of 5 mL/second. All patients were divided into two groups (<70 kg and > or =70 kg) for assessment of appropriate concentration to quantitatively assess regional perfusion parameter in routine clinical practice. Pulmonary blood flow (PBF) in each protocol was calculated from a signal intensity (SI)-time course curve. Differences and limits of agreement of PBF between dynamic MR imaging (PBF(MR)) using three different concentrations and perfusion SPECT (PBF(SPECT)) were statistically compared in both patient groups. PBF(MR) using 0.3 mmol/mL in the <70-kg group and 0.5 mmol/mL in the > or =70-kg group showed no significant difference compared with PBF(SPECT) (P > 0.05). Limits of agreements in 0.3 mmol/mL in the <70-kg group and 0.5 mmol/mL in the > or =70-kg group were smaller than those of the other concentrations and small enough for clinical purposes. Appropriate concentrations provide accurate and reproducible assessments of regional pulmonary perfusion parameters on 3D dynamic MR perfusion imaging. We suggest using 5 mL of contrast media with 0.3 mmol/mL for patients weighing less than 70 kg and 0.5 mmol/mL for patients weighing 70 kg or more.

The Usefulness of High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Dynamic MR Imaging with Sensitivity Encoding for Evaluating Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer

Purpose: We assessed the usefulness of high-resolution 3D dynamic MR imaging with sensitivity encoding (mSENSE) for evaluating bile duct cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer underwent multiphasic 3D GRE MRI, including two delayed phases without and with mSENSE. The first delayed phases were obtained with volumetric interpolated breathhold imaging (VIBE) and then the higher in-plane resolution images (320168) were obtained using mSENSE. The two delayed phase images were compared quantitatively by measuring the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of liver and tumor, the liver-visceral fat contrast and the tumor-visceral fat contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR); the two delayed phase images were compared qualitatively by evaluating the sharpness of the hepatic vessels and bile duct, the artifacts and the conspicuity of bile duct cancer. Results: The quantitative results with mSENSE image were significantly better than those with conventional VIBE. Though the clarity of the intrahepatic vessels and the intrahepatic bile duct, and the artifacts did not differ significantly between the two images (p>0.05), the clarity of the extrahepatic vessels, the extrahepatic bile duct and the bile duct cancer were better on the mSENSE image than on the VIBE (p

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Urography in the Evaluation of Pediatric Hydronephrosis: Part 1, Functional Assessment

The purpose of our study was to derive time-intensity curves for the renal cortex and medulla from 3D dynamic MR urography and to assess whether these curves are predictive of obstruction. Fifty-nine examinations were performed in 53 pediatric patients and the degree of obstruction assessed using the renal transit time. The cortex and medulla were segmented using a semiautomatic method, and mean time-intensity curves were derived for the segmented volumes. The basic parameters of the curves (amplitude, washout) were assessed, as was the presence of certain characteristic features of the curves. The images allowed clear visualization of three phases of the uptake of contrast material in the cortex, the medulla, and the collecting system. Both the amplitude of the curves and the washout of the contrast material were predictive of obstruction. The distal tubular peak was reliably detected in the cortex of nonobstructed kidneys. Combining signal-intensity-versus-time-curve analysis with the other parameters that can be derived from the same MR urography data set provides a powerful tool for the diagnosis of obstruction.

Subtraction of in‐phase and opposed‐phase images in dynamic MR mammography

To develop and to evaluate an advanced image acquisition and analysis method for collecting T(1)-weighted dynamic 3D MR mammography data sets by using a combined in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP) imaging procedure. 3D MR mammography data sets were acquired by applying an interleaved gradient-echo OP and IP imaging sequence during administration of contrast agent. A phantom data set, two volunteer breast data sets, and six patient breast data sets were recorded. Subtraction of dynamic in-phase magnitude images was performed for clinical assessment. In addition, the magnitude subtraction (SIPOP) as well as the complex subtraction (cSIPOP) of the IP and OP magnitude and phase images were considered. The detection of small lesions, lesion boundaries, and tumor offshoots in fatty tissue was improved by the subtraction of IP and OP images without the risk of signal cancellation due to partial volume effects. Dynamic MR mammography acquisition of IP and OP images in combination with appropriate data processing yields important supplementary information that can support routinely applied diagnostics of breast lesions that are fully embedded in fatty tissue by only marginally increasing acquisition time.

Three-dimensional dynamic MR hysterosalpingography: a preliminary report.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional dynamic MR hysterosalpingography (3D MR HSG) for visualization of the cavum uteri and demonstration of bilateral fallopian tube patency as an alternative to conventional hysterosalpingography. Five infertile female patients underwent 3D dynamic MR HSG prior to conventional hysterosalpingography. The MR protocol consisted of axial T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), axial/coronal T2-weighted fast SE (FSE), and 3D MR angiography sequences before, during, and after injection of a diluted gadolinium solution into the cavum uteri via a balloon catheter. Positioning of the catheter was feasible in all patients. In one patient the catheter slipped out during MRI and in one patient the catheter was placed far in the cavum uteri. In three patients catheter position was optimal at the level of the cervical canal. Evaluation of pelvic anatomy, myometrium, and ovaries was possible in all patients on the basis of T1-weighted SE and T2-weighted FSE. Three-dimensional visualization of the dilated cavum uteri was possible in four patients. In these four patients 3D MR HSG also proved bilateral fallopian tube patency which was confirmed in each patient by conventional hysterosalpingography. Three-dimensional MR HSG is feasible and further research should be done to determine if this technique can evolve into an alternative technique to conventional hysterosalpingography with the advantages of no radiation and additional visualization of the uterus wall and ovaries.

Dynamic 3D MR angiography of the pulmonary arteries in under four seconds.

Although 3D MRA has been shown to provide excellent depiction of the pulmonary arterial tree, its clinical use has been limited due to lengthy breath-holding requirements. Employing the newest gradient generation (1.5 T MR system, amplitude of 40 mT/m and a slew rate of 200 mT/m/msec), we evaluated a technique permitting the dynamic acquisition of 3D data sets of the entire pulmonary tree in under 4 seconds. Coronal image sets were collected using a repetition time of 1.64 msec and an echo time of 0.6 msec, resulting in an acquisition time of 3.74 seconds. Three volunteers and eight dyspneic patients with known or suspected pulmonary embolism underwent MRI of the pulmonary arteries. The pulmonary arterial tree was visible to a subsegmental level in all examined subjects. Regarding the presence of pulmonary emboli in four patients, there was complete concordance between MR angiographic findings and those of corroborative studies. We conclude that diagnostic MRA of the pulmonary vasculature can be obtained even in patients with severe respiratory distress.