Improved arterial visibility using short-tau inversion-recovery (STIR) fat suppression in non-contrast-enhanced time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) renal MR angiography (MRA).

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether short-tau inversion-recovery (STIR) fat suppression is worthwhile in non-contrast-enhanced respiration-triggered free-breathing time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP) renal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) compared with chemical shift selective (CHESS) fat suppression.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simulation-based analyses of inversion time (TI) for spatial-selective inversion-recovery (ssIR) pulse and breathing rate were performed, and confirmed on a phantom and in human subjects using a three-dimensional (3D) coherent steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence on a 1.5T Toshiba scanner.
RESULTS: The STIR fat suppression successfully suppressed signals from the intestines and parenchymous organs and provided better contrast between the arteries and the background, although an extension of TI was required for the ssIR pulse when a patient's respiration was extremely slow.
CONCLUSION: STIR fat suppression provides better renal artery contrast than CHESS fat suppression in non-contrast free-breathing Time-SLIP MRA; it is also an effective screening tool for renal artery stenosis because of the lack of interference from intestinal signals. However, close attention is needed if the patient has slow respiration. As the TI for the ssIR pulse decreases, the STIR method requires faster-paced respiration.