Time-resolved MR angiography of the intracranial venous system: an alternative MR venography technique.
Eur Radiol
; 22(5): 980-9, 2012 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22101744
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To compare time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with two-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance venography (MRV), and three-dimensional contrast-enhanced (CE) MRV in the visualisation of normal cerebral veins and dural venous sinuses.METHODS:
This prospective study consisted of 35 consecutive patients. All patients were examined with TOF MRV, TRICKS MRA and CE MRV; a single dose of intravenous contrast material was administered for the last two sequences. The image quality of these techniques was assessed and compared qualitatively (by a semiquantitative scoring system) and quantitatively (by calculating signal-to-noise ratios [SNRs] and contrast-to-noise ratios [CNRs]).RESULTS:
Left transverse sinus, left sigmoid sinus, bilateral thalamostriate veins and Trolard veins were better visualised by TRICKS MRA and CE MRV compared with TOF MRV (P < 0.05). For left thalamostriate vein visualisation, TRICKS MRA was inferior to CE MRV (P < 0.05). With quantitative analysis the SNRs and CNRs were highest at TRICKS MRA, which was followed by CE MRV and TOF MRV (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:
Despite its limited spatial resolution, TRICKS MRA is comparable to static CE MRV and better than TOF MRV in the visualisation of normal dural sinuses and cerebral veins. KEY POINTS ⢠Time resolved magnetic resonance angiography can image the intracranial venous system dynamically ⢠It seems comparable to contrast-enhanced MRV techniques in venous visualisation ⢠The optimal phase for venous structures can be chosen from the dynamic data set ⢠The diagnostic performance in venous thrombosis requires further research.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Algorithms
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Cerebral Veins
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Pattern Recognition, Automated
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Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
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Magnetic Resonance Angiography
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Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
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Evaluation_studies
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Observational_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Language:
En
Year:
2012
Type:
Article