Thomas Josef Vogl MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Carl Hormes, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Adel Maataoui MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Frank Hubner MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Martin Beeres MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To optimize resolution and trigger delays in a nonenhanced electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered flow sensitive 3D-TSE sequence for the distal lower extremities in healthy subjects.

120 MR angiographies of 20 healthy volunteers (10 males, 10 females; mean: 33 years) were assessed with six different acquisition setups in a 1.5 T MRI scanner (Siemens Avanto). Setups consisted of the combination of a specific isovolumetric voxel size (A = 0.9 mm3, B = 1.25 mm3, C = 1.5 mm3) with a particular trigger delay (1 = peak – 30ms, 2 = beginning of the peak). Images were rated using a 5-point-scale by two experienced radiologists in 6 anatomical regions of each leg (A. poplitea III, outlet A. tibialis ant., A tibialis ant., outlet A. tibialis post., A. tibialis post., A. fibularis). Signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio was evaluated.

Intraclass correlation (0.755) was taken to show interrater reliability between the two readers. Evaluation of the setups indicated a significant difference (p<0.000). Setup combination B.1. showed best image quality: none or minor venous overlay in 95% and none or minor artifacts in 85%. Combination B.1 showed significant improvement in comparison to the other combinations A.2. (p<0.000), C.2. (p<0.000) , and B.2. (p 0.017). SNR evaluation underlined these results.

Non-enhanced 3D-TSE-MR angiography is a good imaging modality for the lower extremities and showed good results in healthy volunteers. Combination setup B.1. demonstrated a significant superiority over the other evaluated setups with a solid robustness against venous overlay and image artifacts.

3D-TSE MR sequence allows a precise visualization of pathologies of distal lower extremities.

Vogl, T, Hormes, C, Maataoui, A, Hubner, F, Beeres, M, Nonenhanced Peripheral 3D-TSE-MR-Angiography: Optimizing Resolution and Trigger Delays  .  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045498.html