Abstract
Traditionally magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the carotid arteries has been performed with time-of-flight (TOF) methods, which are limited by flow related artifacts. Contrast enhanced MRA using an intravenously administered gadolinium agent can overcome the limitations of TOF MRA. One contrast enhanced MRA method, projection magnetic resonance digital subtraction angiograph (MRDSA), generates time-resolved angiograms in a manner similar to conventional digital x-ray digital subtraction angiography. This 2D MRDSA method was evaluated on 15 patients suspected of carotid artery disease. The image quality and carotid lesion detection of 2D MRDSA were compared with that of the 2D and 3D TOF methods. It was found that 2D MRDSA was superior to both 2D and 3D TOF for diagnosing carotid arterial diseases.