Cammillo Roberto Giovanni Leopoldo Talei Franzesi, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Davide Ippolito MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pietro Andrea Bonaffini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Davide Fior MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andrea Nasatti, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sandro Sironi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced T1 free-breathing gradient echo sequences with standard MR-angiographic sequences in the assessment of aortic disease.

From January 2012 to December 2013,41 patients(16women;25men;mean age60.1;range,31-80 years) with known or clinical suspicious of aortic disease were evaluated. All patients underwent an MR angiography(MRA) study of aorta on 1.5T magnet(Achieva,Philips),using a phased array multi-coil, after the intravenous injection of 0,1mL*Kg of gadobutrol, with standard protocol and acquiring 3D-angiographic T1 gradient-echo fat-suppressed(3D-HR) sequences. Moreover multiplanar T1 free-breathing gradient-echo fat-suppressed (THRIVE-FB) sequences were also performed. For each patient two blinded radiologists independently compared the diagnostic quality of the different angiographic sequences, in terms of aortic wall and lumen and main branches visualization. The vascular diameters at different aortic levels were also calculated, compared and statistically analyzed between the different sequences. The interobserver agreement was then evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient(ICC).

The THRIVE-FB sequences showed high diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of vascular diameter and walls, with a significant higher sensitivity and specificity in the assessment of vascular plaques, thrombus and adjacent structures, in comparison with 3D-HR. The 3D-HR sequences better visualized the vascular lumen with lower flow artifacts, than THRIVE-FB sequences. Not significant differences were obtained in terms of diagnostic quality between 3D-HR and THRIVE-FB sequences and a high interobserver agreement was found, with an ICC of 0,97.

Contrast-enhanced T1 free-breathing gradient-echo fat-suppressed sequences (THRIVE-FB) were able to correctly visualize and evaluate the aorta and its major branches, with not significant differences in comparison with standard breath-hold angiographic sequences, allowing to cover large volume, even in not compliant patients.

Free-breathing angiographic protocol permits to correctly evaluate thoracic and abdominal arteries, without any significant breathing artifacts, representing a useful tool in not compliant patients.

Talei Franzesi, C, Ippolito, D, Bonaffini, P, Fior, D, Nasatti, A, Sironi, S, Diagnostic Accuracy of Contrast-enhanced T1 Free-breathing Gradient Echo Sequences in the Assessment of Aortic Disease: Comparison with Standard T1 Breath-hold Gradient Echo 3D Angiographic Sequences.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045488.html