Click on any image below to see an enlargement of that image.

Case #1: 71 year old man with right calf pain upon exertion.
	Figure 1a MR angiogram demonstrates complete occlusion of the right superficial femoral artery with reconstitution of a diseased popliteal artery.		Figure 1b Catheter angiogram shows similar findings.
Case #2: Asymptomatic 72 year old man.		Case #3: Asymptomatic physician. Age unknown.
	Figure 2 Normal femoral popliteal angiogram.		Figure 3 Normal iliofemoral angiogram.
Case #4a: 81 year old man with right lower extremity rest pain
	Figure 4a MR angiogram demonstrates complete occlusion of the right popliteal artery. The peroneal artery is also occluded at its origin.		Figure 4b Catheter angiogram shows similar findings.

Discussion

There are numerous techniques currently being studied for lower extremity MR imaging.¹ At Parkside MRI the above images were acquired using a two-dimensional time of flight technique similar to what has been employed for carotid imaging. ECG triggering is used which allows data acquisition at the moment of maximum systolic flow. NO INTRAVASCULAR CONTRAST IS NECESSARY. Recent studies have shown that MR imaging can correctly grade stenotic or occlusive lesions with 95% sensitivity and 91% specificity when compared with conventional catheter angiography.²

Accurate mapping of lower extremity vasculature in symptomatic patients is necessary prior to treatment planning. Peripheral MR angiography offers the promise of providing this information noninvasively although its exact role in the evaluation of peripheral atherosclerotic disease has yet to be defined.

If you would like more information about MR Angiography, please contact Parkside MR Center at 847.696.7900.

References

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