Multi-contrast high spatial resolution black blood inner volume three-dimensional fast spin echo MR imaging in peripheral vein bypass grafts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to primarily evaluate the lumen area and secondarily evaluate wall area measurements of in vivo lower extremity peripheral vein bypass grafts patients using high spatial resolution, limited field of view, cardiac gated, black blood inner volume three-dimensional fast spin echo MRI. Fifteen LE-PVBG patients prospectively underwent ultrasound followed by T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Lumen and vessel wall areas were measured by direct planimetry. For graft lumen areas, T1- and T2-weighted measurements were compared with ultrasound. For vessel wall areas, differences between T1-and T2-weighted measurements were evaluated. There was no significant difference between ultrasound and MR lumen measurements, reflecting minimal MR blood suppression artifact. Graft wall area measured from T1-weighted images was significantly larger than that measured from T2-weighted images (P < 0.001). The mean of the ratio of T1-versus T2-weighted vessel wall areas was 1.59 (95% CI: 1.48–1.69). The larger wall area measured on T1-weighted images was due to a significantly larger outer vessel wall boundary. Very high spatial resolution LE-PVBG vessel wall MR imaging can be performed in vivo, enabling accurate measurements of lumen and vessel wall areas and discerning differences in those measures between different tissue contrast weightings. Vessel wall area differences suggest that LE-PVBG vessel wall tissues produce distinct signal characteristics under T1 and T2 MR contrast weightings.

Cardiovascular imaging 2010 in the International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging

“…Black blood sequences were proposed as a means to better understand peripheral vein bypass graft maturation and disease [ 40 ]. This may lead to improved diagnoses for treatment and repair.…”

Phase relaxed localized excitation pulses for inner volume fast spin echo imaging

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“…Mitsouras et al also give a detailed analysis of salient features regarding inner volume imaging. The 3D‐FSE IVI has been used with 2D selective excitations to image blood vessels , prostate and recently, the orbits .…”

CT Angiography for Surgical Planning in Face Transplantation Candidates

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