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Assessment of blood supply to intracranial pathologies in children using MR digital subtraction angiography

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Abstract

Background

MR digital subtraction angiography (MR-DSA) is a contrast-enhanced MR angiographic sequence that enables time-resolved evaluation of the cerebral circulation.

Objective

We describe the feasibility and technical success of our attempts at MR-DSA for the assessment of intracranial pathology in children.

Materials and methods

We performed MR-DSA in 15 children (age range 5 days to 16 years) referred for MR imaging because of known or suspected intracranial pathology that required a dynamic assessment of the cerebral vasculature. MR-DSA consisted of a thick (6–10 mm) slice-selective RF-spoiled fast gradient-echo sequence (RF-FAST) acquired before and during passage of an intravenously administered bolus of Gd-DTPA. The images were subtracted and viewed as a cine loop.

Results

MR-DSA was performed successfully in all patients. High-flow lesions were shown in four patients; these included vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation, dural fistula, and two partially treated arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Low-flow lesions were seen in three patients, all of which were tumours. Normal flow was confirmed in eight patients including two with successfully treated AVMs, and in three patients with cavernomas.

Conclusion

Our early experience suggests that MR-DSA is a realistic, non-invasive alternative to catheter angiography in certain clinical settings.

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Author notes

  1. Weng Kong Chooi

    Present address: Valley Medical Imaging – Radiology, #105 2151 McCallum Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia, V2S 3N8, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK

    Weng Kong Chooi, Dan J. A. Connolly, Stuart C. Coley & Paul D. Griffiths

  2. Department of Radiology, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield, UK

    Dan J. A. Connolly & Paul D. Griffiths

  3. Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Paul D. Griffiths

  4. Section of Academic Radiology, Floor C, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Rd, Sheffield, UK

    Paul D. Griffiths

Authors
  1. Weng Kong Chooi
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  2. Dan J. A. Connolly
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  3. Stuart C. Coley
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  4. Paul D. Griffiths
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul D. Griffiths.

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Chooi, W.K., Connolly, D.J.A., Coley, S.C. et al. Assessment of blood supply to intracranial pathologies in children using MR digital subtraction angiography. Pediatr Radiol 36, 1057–1062 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-006-0268-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-006-0268-1

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