[Phase-contrast MR angiography of the lower extremity. Comparison of methods and clinical application]

Radiologe. 1997 Jul;37(7):572-8. doi: 10.1007/s001170050255.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether phase-contrast MRA is a clinically suited approach to examine arteries of the pelvis and lower extremities.

Methods: The study was divided into two parts, a volunteer study and patient study. Three MRA techniques-2D TOF with venous saturation, 3D magnitude contrast and 2D phase contrast with ECG triggering-were intraindividually compared in 15 volunteers and evaluated by three blinded readers. Subsequently, a total of 230 vessel segments of 45 MRA studies using ECG-triggered phase contrast were compared with intraarterial DSA. All vessel segments were scored by three blinded readers using a five-point scale with DSA serving as the gold standard.

Results: ECG-triggered phase contrast provided better image quality than the other MRA techniques as assessed by the Friedman test. Clinical studies demonstrated a significant correlation of DSA and MRA as assessed by the Spearman correlation and kappa statistics for individual readers.

Conclusion: MRA of the pelvis and lower extremities may be performed with 2D ECG-triggered phase-contrast MRA within a reasonable time frame (< 30 min). MRA slabs provide orientation similar to that with DSA projections and good to very good correlation of vessel pathology as shown by kappa statistics.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Angiography, Digital Subtraction
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Arteries / pathology
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods*
  • Reference Standards
  • Sensitivity and Specificity