INTRAPELVIC 2-DIMENSIONAL TIME-OF-FLIGHT MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY IN HEALTHY AND DISEASED SUBJECTS

We evaluated the use of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) based on two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) technique in the pelvic vasculature. In the initial phase of this study, MRA was performed in 10 normal subjects for determination of the optimum imaging parameters. Systemically varied scan parameters included flip angle ranging from 20 degrees to 90 degrees by 10 degrees increments and repetition time (TR) of 30, 40, and 50 ms. The optimum imaging parameters for intrapelvic MR angiography were found to be flip angle of 90 degrees, pulse sequence of 30/4.9 (TR ms/TE ms). Using these imaging parameters, 70-100% of the second division branches of the internal iliac artery could be visualized in each subject. In the second phase of this study, we evaluated the use of MR angiography in patients with intrapelvic vascular disease by comparing its accuracy in evaluating the iliac arteries with that of conventional angiography. In patients with atheromatous disease, the MR angiographic determination was consistent with that of conventional angiography in 23 of 28 visualized arterial segments (82%). In eight lesions in patients with non-stenotic vascular disease or hypervascular pelvic tumours, all lesions were demonstrated clearly with MR angiography. 2D TOF technique with high flip angle excitation is suitable for the evaluation of main iliac branches and diseased vessels.