Utility of noncontrast-enhanced time-resolved four-dimensional MR angiography with a vessel-selective technique for intracranial arteriovenous malformations

• Published in: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging 2016-10, Vol.44 (4), p.834-845
• Main Authors: Fujima, Noriyuki, Osanai, Toshiya, Shimizu, Yukie, Yoshida, Atsushi, Harada, Taisuke, Nakayama, Naoki, Kudo, Kohsuke, Houkin, Kiyohiro, Shirato, Hiroki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4D-MRA; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; arterial spin labeling; arteriovenous malformation; Cerebral Angiography - methods; Child; Child, Preschool; Contrast Media; Female; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnostic imaging; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - methods; Magnetic resonance imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; vessel-selective technique; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1053-1807; 1522-2586
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25222

Purpose To evaluate the utility of a vessel‐selective four‐dimensional (4D) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique for the evaluation of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Materials and Methods Twelve AVM patients were evaluated retrospectively. Time‐of‐flight (TOF) MRA, nonvessel‐selective 4D‐MRA (NS‐4D‐MRA), and vessel‐selective 4D‐MRA (VS‐4D‐MRA) were performed using a 3T MR unit in all patients, and used to identify feeding arteries and draining veins and measure nidus size. The diagnostic accuracy of the three techniques was compared using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). If a multifeeder was observed, the percentage of blood flow of each feeding artery to the entire nidus was evaluated and compared to the DSA findings using the “error value,” defined as the degree of overestimation of the blood flow. All imaging findings were assessed by two neuroradiologists. Results In both raters, the detectability of feeding arteries by VS‐4D‐MRA (12 and 11 patients) was significantly higher than those of TOF‐MRA (7 and 6 patients) and NS‐4D‐MRA (8 and 7 patients) (P < 0.016). The detectability of drainer veins by TOF‐MRA (10 and 10 patients) was significantly higher than that of VS‐4D‐MRA (7 and 6 patients). In the percentage of the blood flow of each feed artery to the entire nidus, the DSA findings (error value; 27.1 ± 5.7) indicated overestimations of the blood flow compared to the VS‐4D‐MRA (error value; 7.1 ± 3.9) (P < 0.001). Conclusion VS‐4D‐MRA was shown to be a useful technique for the evaluation of intracranial AVMs, especially for detecting feed arteries and estimating details of the nidus structure. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:834–845.