XI Symposium Neuroradiologicum
Bologna, 4-9 ottobre 2010
Preliminary experience with gadobenate dimeglumine for high resolution steady state
MRA of the carotid arteries
M Anzidei, A Napoli, B Cavallo Marincola ,
M. Kirchin, C. Neira, D Geiger, F Zaccagna,
C Catalano, R Passariello

Background
TEMPORAL RESOLUTION SPATIAL RESOLUTION
Acquisition time: increases with NEX
Acquisition time: increases with TR
Acquisition time: increases with Ny
SNR: increases by 1/resolution
SNR: increases by the V NEX
SNR: decreases with the FoV 2

Background

Background

Purpose
To prospectively evaluate the potential of Gd-BOPTA for combined first-pass and steadystate MRA of the carotid arteries, compared with CTA and using digital subtraction angiography as reference standard .

Method and Materials
40 consecutive patients
(63 +/- 15 y; 32 m / 8 f)
Cerebrovascular Disease
(Stroke - TIA)
Positive DUS examination
MRA FP + SS, CTA and DSA
Patient Based Qualitative analysis:
FP and SS image quality, incremental diagnostic effects of SS
Segment Based Quantitative analysis:
Stenosis and Plaque evaluation at FP and SS compared with CTA and DSA

Method and Materials
First-Pass
3D T1-w GRE
- TR 3.5 ms, TE 1.18 ms,
- FA 30 ° , TA 16 s
PAT x 2
384 x 384
Voxel size
1 x 1 x 0.7 mm
15 mL of Gd-BOPTA
@ 2 mL/s

Method and Materials
Steady-state
3D T1-w GRE
- TR 7.5 ms, TE 2.3 ms,
- FA 30 ° , TA 240 s
PAT x 2
512 x 512
Voxel size
0.7 x 0.7 x 0.7 mm

Results: Stenosis Assessment p = 0.838

Results: Plaque Morphology p = 0.001

Results: Plaque Ulceration p = 0.001

Conclusion
Gd-BOPTA enhanced hi-resolution SS MRA of the carotid arteries is feasible
If adequate image quality is achieved SS imaging can be superior to FP acquisitions
Increased accuracy in plaque evaluation may change patients management

beacm@libero.it
Aknowledgements: C Neira, F Tedoldi, T Lamprecht,