<b>Optimization of single shot 3D breath-hold non-enhanced MR angiography of the renal arteries</b>

• Main Authors: Tan Huan, Koktzoglou Ioannis, Glielmi Christopher, Galizia Mauricio, Edelman Robert R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-05-01
• Series: Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
• Subjects: Non-enhanced Renal MRA; 3D Steady-State Precession Acquisition; Breath-hold
• Online Access: http://www.jcmr-online.com/content/14/1/30

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardiac and navigator-gated, inversion-prepared non-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography techniques can accurately depict the renal arteries without the need for contrast administration. However, the scan time and effectiveness of navigator-gated techniques depend on the subject respiratory pattern, which at times results in excessively prolonged scan times or suboptimal image quality. A single-shot 3D magnetization-prepared steady-state free precession technique was implemented to allow the full extent of the renal arteries to be depicted within a single breath-hold.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Technical optimization of the breath-hold technique was performed with fourteen healthy volunteers. An alternative magnetization preparation scheme was tested to maximize inflow signal. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons were made between the breath-hold technique and the clinically accepted navigator-gated technique in both volunteers and patients on a 1.5 T scanner.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The breath-hold technique provided an average of seven fold reduction in imaging time, without significant loss of image quality. Comparable single-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios of intra- and extra-renal arteries were found between the breath-hold and the navigator-gated techniques in volunteers. Furthermore, the breath-hold technique demonstrated good image quality for diagnostic purposes in a small number of patients in a pilot study.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The single-shot, breath-hold technique offers an alternative to navigator-gated methods for non-enhanced renal magnetic resonance angiography. The initial results suggest a potential supplementary clinical role for the breath-hold technique in the evaluation of suspected renal artery diseases.</p>