MR angiography of the cerebral perforating arteries with magnetization prepared anatomical reference at 7T: Comparison with time‐of‐flight

Abstract

Purpose: To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol that visualizes both the perforating arteries and the related anatomy in a single acquisition at 7T. Material and Methods:T 1 -weighted magnetization prepared imaging (MPRAGE) was empirically modified for use as angiography method at 7T. The resulting sequence depicts the vasculature simultaneously with the surrounding anatomical structures, and is referred to as "magnetization prepared anatomical reference MRA" (MPARE-MRA). The method was compared to time-of-flight (TOF) MRA in seven healthy subjects. The conspicuity of the perforating arteries and the contrast between gray and white matter were evaluated both quantitatively by contrast-to-noise (CNR) measurements, and qualitatively by two radiologists who scored the images. Results:The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between blood and background was 28 Ϯ 9 for MPARE-MRA and 35 Ϯ 16 for TOF-MRA, indicating good conspicuity of the vessels. CNR values were: internal capsule (IC) vs. caudate head (CH): 4.2 Ϯ 0.7; IC vs. putamen: 3.5 Ϯ 0.6; white matter vs. gray matter: 9.7 Ϯ 2.5. Conclusion:The benefits of ultra-high-field MRI can transform MPRAGE into a new angiography method to image small vessels and associated parenchyma at the same time. This technique can be used to study the correlation between tissue damage and vascular pathology.

Comparison of 7.0- and 3.0-T MRI and MRA in ischemic-type moyamoya disease: preliminary experience

“…These findings were also consistent with the results of previous studies, which showed that 7.0-T TOF MRA provided only small increases in the signal-to-noise ratio in the primary intracranial vessels but provided better visualization of the first-and second-order branch arteries. 11,12,22,36,37 Meanwhile, in our study, MMVs in the sylvian fissure, interpeduncular cistern, and quadrigeminal cistern ( Fig. 2A and B) were visualized better on axial T2-weighted 7.0-T MR images.…”

Non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of unruptured intracranial aneurysms at 7 Tesla: Comparison with digital subtraction angiography

“…Hence, due to the local transmit coil setup at 7 T, a non-selective inversion recovery pulse is effectively a slab-selective inversion recovery pulse [36,37]. In a recent publication, Zwawanenburg et al [38] demonstrated the high diagnostic potential of nonenhanced MPRAGE MRI at 7 T for excellent assessment of cerebral perforating arteries and related anatomical parenchymatous structures. In two other recent studies on UIAs and intracranial arteriovenous malformations, the diagnostic potential of MPRAGE has been shown [20,21].…”

7 Tesla MR Imaging: Opportunities and Challenges

“…2). Besides structural imaging, first studies on 7 Tesla brain MRI disclosed an interesting characteristic of T1-weighted imaging at 7 T, by means of a homogeneously hyperintense delineation of arterial vasculature [31,32]. The etiology of this feature is incompletely understood so far.…”