OBJECTIVE: A number of clinical situations exist in which high-resolution depiction of the external carotid artery system is required, a task not previously addressed by MR angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which high-spatial-resolution MR angiography at 3 T can be used to map the normal external carotid artery system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consenting adult patients were prospectively evaluated. Images acquired were evaluated by two independent observers, and each branch vessel was scored with regard to image quality, presence and grade of stenoses, and artifacts. Interobserver agreement regarding image quality and the presence and degree of stenosis was tested using the kappa coefficient. Differences in quality ratings between the two observers were assessed using the paired Student's t test. RESULTS: Of 828 vessels analyzed, 92.63% were designated of diagnostic quality with no significant difference between the observers' image quality scores (p = 0.63). Good agreement was determined regarding image quality achieved (kappa = 0.716). All examinations were free of artifact sufficient to interfere with confident interpretation. Excellent correlation was seen with regard to stenosis detection and grading (kappa = 0.857). Of the external carotid artery systems assessed, 82.6% showed conventional anatomic vascular branching. CONCLUSION: High-spatial-resolution, 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography at 3 T using sagittal source data acquisition and an advanced acceleration factor of 6 allows high-quality (92.63% of arterial segments) visualization of the external carotid artery system, with complete head and neck vascular coverage.
OBJECTIVE: A number of clinical situations exist in which high-resolution depiction of the external carotid artery system is required, a task not previously addressed by MR angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which high-spatial-resolution MR angiography at 3 T can be used to map the normal external carotid artery system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three consenting adult patients were prospectively evaluated. Images acquired were evaluated by two independent observers, and each branch vessel was scored with regard to image quality, presence and grade of stenoses, and artifacts. Interobserver agreement regarding image quality and the presence and degree of stenosis was tested using the kappa coefficient. Differences in quality ratings between the two observers were assessed using the paired Student's t test. RESULTS: Of 828 vessels analyzed, 92.63% were designated of diagnostic quality with no significant difference between the observers' image quality scores (p = 0.63). Good agreement was determined regarding image quality achieved (kappa = 0.716). All examinations were free of artifact sufficient to interfere with confident interpretation. Excellent correlation was seen with regard to stenosis detection and grading (kappa = 0.857). Of the external carotid artery systems assessed, 82.6% showed conventional anatomic vascular branching. CONCLUSION: High-spatial-resolution, 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography at 3 T using sagittal source data acquisition and an advanced acceleration factor of 6 allows high-quality (92.63% of arterial segments) visualization of the external carotid artery system, with complete head and neck vascular coverage.
Authors: Georg Mühlenbruch; Marco Das; Gottfried Mommertz; Meike Schaaf; Stefan Langer; Andreas Horst Mahnken; Joachim Ernst Wildberger; A Thron; Rolf W Günther; Timo Krings Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2009-08-21 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: A Korn; M Fenchel; B Bender; S Danz; C Thomas; D Ketelsen; C D Claussen; G Moonis; B Krauss; M Heuschmid; U Ernemann; H Brodoefel Journal: Neuroradiology Date: 2012-12-08 Impact factor: 2.804
Authors: Manuel Kramer; Siegfried A Schwab; Emeka Nkenke; Achim Eller; Ferdinand Kammerer; Matthias May; João F Baigger; Michael Uder; Michael Lell Journal: Head Face Med Date: 2014-05-12 Impact factor: 2.151