J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Feb;32(2):209-214.

Comparison of MR Angiography with Conventional Angiography in Cervical and Intracranial Vascular Diseases

• Choi DS
• Chang KH
• Jung HW
• Han MH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance angiography{MRA) in evaluation of stenosis of carotid and large cerebral vessels and cerebral aneurysm.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with either arterial stenosis in cervical or intracranial major vessels(n=18) or cerebral aneurysm(n=8) or both(n=1) were examined with both MRA and conventional angiography(CA). MRA was performed with 3D TOF technique with magnetization transfer suppression at 1.5T system(Magnetom, Siemens, Germany) ; both intracranial MRA and cervical MRA in 16 patients, intracranial MRA only in the remaining patients. For evaluation of arterial stenosis, 32 carotid bifurcations and 383 segments of intracranial major vessels were assessed in blind fashion, and were compared with those of CA. Each arterial segment was arbitrarily classified into one of five grades(<10, 10-49, 50-74, 75-99, 100%) for carotid bifurcation and one of four(<10, 10-49, 50-99, 100%) for intracranial vessels. For aneurysm, its location, size, shape and direction were compared.
RESULTS
For arterial stenosis, concordance rate between MRA and CA was 88%(28/32) in carotid bifurcation and 89%(340/383) in intracranial vessels. All discordant cases were overgraded on MRA. For aneurysm, 7 of 9 were demonstrated on both MRA and CA, one of which was partially demonstrated on MRA. One of the other two patients showed aneurysm only on MRA, whereas the remaining one revealed aneurysm only on CA.
CONCLUSION
MRA may be performed as a screening test for occlusive disease of cervical and major intracranial vessels and cerebral aneurysm.

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Angiography*
Cerebrovascular Disorders*
Constriction, Pathologic
Humans
Intracranial Aneurysm
Mass Screening