Comparison of Time-of-Flight-Magnetic Resonance Angiography From Silent Scan Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Depiction of Arteriovenous Malformation of the Brain.

Objective: Silent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was compared with time-of-flight (TOF)-MRA in imaging of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain.

Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients with AVMs of the brain were included. Quantitative analyses were performed by measuring both signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of the nidus. Qualitative analysis (scores 1-4) was performed by evaluating depictions of feeding arteries and draining veins independently by 2 reviewers.

Results: Both signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio in TOF-MRA were significantly higher than those in silent MRA. For both feeders and drainers, scores were significantly higher in silent MRA than in TOF-MRA for both reviewers. Interrater agreement was higher in silent MRA than in TOF-MRA.

Conclusions: Silent MRA visualized feeders and drainers in AVMs significantly better than did TOF-MRA. Interrater agreement was also better in silent MRA.