Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany.
Eur Radiol. 2013 Sep;23(9):2392-404. doi: 10.1007/s00330-013-2845-7. Epub 2013 May 4.
To evaluate time-resolved interleaved stochastic trajectories (TWIST) contrast-enhanced 4D magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and compare it with 3D FLASH MRA in patients with congenital heart and vessel anomalies.
Twenty-six patients with congenital heart and vessel anomalies underwent contrast-enhanced MRA with both 3D FLASH and 4D TWIST MRA. Images were subjectively evaluated regarding total image quality, artefacts, diagnostic value and added diagnostic value of 4D dynamic imaging. Quantitative comparison included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and vessel sharpness measurements.
Three-dimensional FLASH MRA was judged to be significantly better in terms of image quality (4.0 ± 0.6 vs 3.4 ± 0.6, P < 0.05) and artefacts (3.8 ± 0.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.5, P < 0.05); no difference in diagnostic value was found (4.2 ± 0.4 vs 4.0 ± 0.4); important additional functional information was found in 21/26 patients. SNR and CNR were higher in the pulmonary trunk in 4D TWIST, but slightly higher in the systemic arteries in 3D FLASH. No difference in vessel sharpness delineation was found.
Although image quality was inferior compared with 3D FLASH MRA, 4D TWIST MRA yields robust images and added diagnostic value through dynamic acquisition was found. Thus, 4D TWIST MRA is an attractive alternative to 3D FLASH MRA.
• New magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) techniques are increasingly introduced for congenital cardiovascular problems. • Time-resolved angiography with interleaved stochastic trajectories (TWIST) is an example. • Four-dimensional TWIST MRA provided inferior image quality compared to 3D FLASH MRA but without significant difference in vessel sharpness. • Four-dimensional TWIST MRA gave added diagnostic value.
评估时间分辨随机轨迹（TWIST）对比增强 4D 磁共振血管造影（MRA），并将其与先天性心脏和血管畸形患者的 3D FLASH MRA 进行比较。
26 例先天性心脏和血管畸形患者均行对比增强 MRA，分别采用 3D FLASH 和 4D TWIST MRA。对总图像质量、伪影、诊断价值以及 4D 动态成像的附加诊断价值进行主观评价。定量比较包括信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）和血管锐利度测量。
3D FLASH MRA 在图像质量（4.0±0.6 比 3.4±0.6，P<0.05）和伪影（3.8±0.4 比 3.3±0.5，P<0.05）方面的评价明显优于 4D TWIST MRA；诊断价值无差异（4.2±0.4 比 4.0±0.4）；21/26 例患者发现重要的附加功能信息。4D TWIST 肺动脉的 SNR 和 CNR 较高，但 3D FLASH 系统动脉的 SNR 和 CNR 略高。血管锐利度的描绘无差异。
尽管图像质量较 3D FLASH MRA 差，但 4D TWIST MRA 可获得稳健的图像，并通过动态采集获得附加的诊断价值。因此，4D TWIST MRA 是 3D FLASH MRA 的一种有吸引力的替代方法。
新的磁共振血管造影（MRA）技术越来越多地用于先天性心血管问题。
时间分辨随机轨迹（TWIST）血管造影是一个例子。
4D TWIST MRA 与 3D FLASH MRA 相比，图像质量较差，但血管锐利度无显著差异。
4D TWIST MRA 具有附加的诊断价值。
