GADOLINIUM-ENHANCED MR AORTOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential for preferential arterial enhancement at magnetic resonance (MR) aortography with an intravenous infusion of paramagnetic contrast material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gadolinium chelates were administered intravenously (0.2 mmol/kg) during three-dimensional MR imaging (1.5 T) in 125 patients (77 male and 48 female patients, aged 4-86 years [mean, 66 years]) with suspected aorta or aortic branch vessel disease. RESULTS: Infusion for the duration of the MR acquisition resulted in significant preferential arterial enhancement without the confounding effects of excessive venous or background-tissue enhancement (P < 10(-5)). Angiographic or surgical correlation in 48 patients revealed an 88% sensitivity and a 97% specificity for detection of stenoses or occlusions and a 100% sensitivity and a 100% specificity for detection of aortic or iliac artery aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Preferential arterial enhancement is possible at MR aortography with an intravenous infusion of paramagnetic contrast material.