Clinical evaluation of stenosis of the carotid bifurcation with magnetic resonance angiographic techniques
D. K. Kido, R. J. Panzer, J. Szumowski, J. Hollander, L. M. Ketonen, A. Monajati, K. Ouriel, J. V. Manzione, C. L. Dumoulin, S. P. Souza and al. et
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY.
We evaluated the images of 60 carotid artery bifurcations in 31 patients
suspected to have carotid artery disease who underwent invasive carotid
angiography and combined two-dimensional, phase-sensitive and a
gradient-echo magnetic resonance angiography. The phase scans consisted of
seven serial projections that were obtained at 20 degrees intervals (11.0
minutes) around the carotid bifurcation; the gradient-echo (GRASS) scans
were composed of 11 axial images (2.4 minutes) acquired through the
bifurcation. The two magnetic resonance angiographic techniques yielded
complementary pieces of information and were used together to compare
magnetic resonance angiography with invasive angiography. Comparison of
magnetic resonance and invasive angiograms of the 60 carotid arteries shows
that the sensitivity (86%) and specificity (92%) of the magnetic resonance
angiographic techniques we used to diagnose clinically significant carotid
stenosis approach but do not reach those of invasive angiography.
