Recent advances in magnetic resonance angiography of the brain.

Newer techniques in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are faster, have higher resolution, and have greater vascular conspicuity than the early techniques introduced just a few years ago. Advances in 'black blood' and 'bright blood' (time-of-flight and phase-contrast) MRA are discussed with attention to saturation effects, use of gadolinium, and background suppression with magnetization transfer contrast.