Iliac artery MR angiography: comparison of three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced and two-dimensional time-of-flight techniques.

PURPOSE

To determine if a three-dimensional (3D) gadolinium-enhanced technique is useful for improving the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospectively, two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) and 3D gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography was performed in 23 patients. Conventional arteriography, the reference standard, was performed in all but five patients. Images from each examination were interpreted blindly by two observers.

RESULTS

For common and external iliac arteries, interpretations of dynamic 3D gadolinium-enhanced MR angiograms matched those of conventional arteriograms in 12 of 18 patients (67%) for both observers. Interpretations of 2D TOF images matched those of conventional arteriograms in six (33%) and seven (39%) patients for the two observers respectively.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary results suggest that iliac artery MR angiography can be improved by complementing standard 2D TOF acquisitions with 3D gadolinium-enhanced acquisitions.