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Subtractive magnetic resonance angiography:

description of a new diagnostic technique

I. APRILE, D. FIERRO, N. CAPUTO

Department of Neuroradiology, “S. Maria” Hospital, Terni, Italy

 

 

 

 

Summary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Progress in Neuroscience 2020; 5 (1-4): 25-35.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most widely non-invasive technique used for the intracranial circulation’s evaluation
is magnetic resonance angiography. Particularly 3D time-of-flight sequences are the most useful because they are less susceptible to turbulent flow artefacts compared to phase contrast ones. time-of-flight sequences however have some limitations, among which one of the most important is that it’s impossible to suppress the acute - subacute blood’s signal. We have developed a technical improvement (denominated subtractive magnetic resonance angiography) of the time-of-flight sequences that will remove the blood’s signal and improves intracranial vessels’ contrast resolution. The aim of our work was to evaluate benefits and limitations of this new technique. 
MATERIAL AND METHODS. We carried out a comparative evaluation between the conventional technique and the new technique both on twenty healthy volunteers and on twenty-two patients with intracranial vascular disease. Visually comparative evaluation between conventional and subtractive magnetic resonance angiography was carried out.
RESULTS. We showed that the subtractive technique improves the cerebral vessels’ visualization especially when T1 hyperintense tissues are in the background (for example, blood debris or fat). Moreover, regarding the remaining normal or pathological vessels visualization, the resolution was the same as the conventional technique.
CONCLUSIONS. In conclusion, the subtractive technique may be usefully adopted for the  intracranial circulation’s evaluation especially during acute - subacute brain bleeding.

KEY WORDS: Angiography, Magnetic resonance, Technique, Time-of-flight sequences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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