Clinical Usefulness of Contrast Enhanced 3D-MR Angiography using Automated Stepping Table Method

Introduction Image quality of MR angiography (MRA) has been substantially improved with fast three-dimensional (3D) MRA acquired during the first passage of a bolus injection of the contrast medium. For clinical evaluation of vascular disorders such as atherosclerotic obstruction (ASO) and aortic aneurysm, a long anatomic region including abdomen and lower extremities has to be imaged, Contrast enhanced MRA with an automated stepping table method can cover the entire anatomic region including the aorta and arteries in the lower legs after a single injection of the contrast medium[ 1,2]. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate clinical usefulness and limitation of 3D contrast enhanced MRA using an automated stepping table method in comparison to conventional X-ray angiography.