Peripheral magnetic resonance angiography with continuous table movement in combination with high spatial and temporal resolution time-resolved MRA With a total single dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadobutrol at 3.0 T.

PURPOSE: To prove the concept of peripheral continuous table movement (CTM) MR-angiography (MRA) in combination with high spatial and temporal resolution time-resolved TWIST-MRA in a single MR-examination at 3.0 T with a single dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadobutrol in total.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 22 consecutive patients (15 m/7 f, mean age: 64 years) referred for peripheral MRA with clinical symptoms of peripheral arterial occlusive disease Fontaine stages II-IV. All of them underwent both CTM-MRA (TR: 2.4 ms/TE: 1.0 ms/flip angle: 21 degree) of the entire run-off vessels and TWIST-MRA (TR: 2.8 ms/TE: 1.1 ms/flip angle: 20 degree) of the calf station during a single MR-examination. All examinations were performed on a 3.0 T MR system (Tim Trio). Spatial resolution of the CTM-MRA datasets was technically limited to an acquired resolution of 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.96 mm3 reconstructed to 1.2 mm isotropic. The TWIST-MRA was acquired with 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.35 mm3 and reconstructed to 1.1 mm isotropic with a temporal resolution of 5.5 seconds in the calf station. A total of 0.1 mmol/kg BW gadobutrol diluted 1:1 with saline was injected at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/s of which 0.07 mmol/kg was administered for the CTM-MRA and 0.03 mmol/kg for the TWIST-MRA. CTM-MRA run off datasets were qualitatively assessed using a 4 point scale (4 = excellent, 1 = nondiagnostic) followed by TWIST-MRA datasets for the calf using the same scale. Additional relevant findings only visible in the TWIST-MRA were documented.

RESULTS: All datasets could be evaluated with a total of 397 assessable segments. CTM-MRA was diagnostic in 99% (393/397 segments) with image quality judged as excellent in 54% (213/397 segments), good in 42% (14/397), and moderate in 4% (14/397) of analyzed segments respectively. Nondiagnostic image quality was seen in 1% (4/397 segments). Venous overlay in the calf station was found in 27% (6/22 patients). TWIST-MRA was diagnostic in 100% (115/115 segments), throughout with good or excellent image quality. In 14 of 22 patients additional relevant findings were detected by TWIST-MRA.

CONCLUSION: Single-dose gadobutrol CTM-MRA in combination with a high spatial and temporal resolution TWIST-MRA at 3.0 T is a reliable technique with good image quality. Despite the use of single dose contrast agent large field of view coverage and dynamic images can be acquired. Because of its robustness, this imaging approach of the vasculature has great potential for a broad clinical use.