Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography MoBI-trak in the study of peripheral vascular disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) MoBI-trak of peripheral vessels in patients with peripheral vascular disease who were candidates for digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

Methods: Eleven patients underwent CE-MRA with automated table movement (MoBI-trak) using a 1.5 T superconducting magnet (Philips Gyroscan ACS NT) equipped with a Power Trak 6000 gradient. Contrast medium (Gd-DTPA) was administered in two sequential boluses-20 cm(3) at 0.6 cm(3)/sec (starting phase) and 20 cm(3) at 0.3 cm(3)/sec (maintenance phase)-using a MedRad Spectris automatic injector. DSA was the gold standard and was performed using a Philips Integris 3000, with a brilliance intensifier of 38 seconds. DSA and MRA were evaluated on printed films.

Results: DSA provided 213 diagnostic assessments: 144 negative, 30 stenosis <50%, 5 stenoses in the 51-70% range, 12 stenoses in the 71-99% range and 22 occlusions. CE-MRA MoBI-trak sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 94.1%, 99.2%, 98.4%, 80.0% and 97.5%, respectively.

Conclusions: Our work is in accordance with the literature. Using this technique MoBI-trak has been shown to be a reliable technique for the detection of peripheral vascular disease up to the trifurcation, although it underlines the necessity for more diagnostic investigation and improvements in the technique.