Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the value of MR angiography (MRA) in sagittal technique compared to DSA in the evaluation of carotid artery stenosis.
Methods: 80 carotid arteries in 40 symptomatic patients were prospectively studied with DSA and MRA. MRA was carried out by means of 3 D time-of-flight technique with a FISP sequence (TE6 ms/TR80 ms, flip angle 25 degrees, FOV 240 x 210 mm, matrix 157 x 256 mm, in-plane resolution 1.34 x 0.94 mm, partition thickness 1.32 mm, slab thickness 45 mm, acquisition time 7 min) using a new head-neck coll. Data acquisition was performed in sagittal orientation with the "double-slab" technique. Imaging quality of the extracranial carotid arteries and correctness of quantification of stenosis was performed.
Results: Imaging quality was good at the origin of the carotid arteries in 65%, at the bifurcation region in 98% and near the skull base in 81%. The agreement of DSA and MRA was 96% of the normal arteries (24/25), 90% of the severe stenoses (28/31) and 100% of the occluded arteries (9/9).
Conclusion: MRA in sagittal "double-slab" technique is a noninvasive technique allowing to detect normal arteries and candidates for surgery with a high degree of certainty.