Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of 3D diffusion-prepared balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging with that of 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography in evaluation of the thoracic aorta.
Materials and methods: Twenty-one patients with indications for contrast-enhanced MR angiography and diffusion-prepared SSFP of the thoracic aorta were involved in this retrospective chart review study conducted with 1.5-T MRI. Two observers scored the quality of the contrast-enhanced MR angiographic and diffusion-prepared SSFP images on the basis of depicting the thoracic aorta. Image quality scores and diametric measurements of the aorta from both image sets were compared.
Results: Diametric measurements of the thoracic aorta showed a strong linear association (r = 0.971, p < 0.0001; regression line indifferent from line of equality, p < 0.05). The aortic root was better visualized with contrast-enhanced MR angiography (image quality score, 3.6 +/- 0.9 vs 3.0 +/- 0.8 of 5; p < 0.05); however, the aortic wall was better visualized with diffusion-prepared SSFP (image quality score, 4.4 +/- 0.6 vs 1.9 +/- 0.3 of 5; p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Three-dimensional diffusion-prepared SSFP yields better image quality than 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography in evaluation of the thoracic aortic wall and appears to be a useful adjunct to 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography for assessing aortic abnormalities before administration of a contrast agent.