MR-angiography: Veins of the abdomen

Conventional MR-angiography (MRA) of the abdominal veins is a noninvasive and useful technique that has been accepted in clinical routine. The aim of this presentation is to evaluate the actual status of MRA including contrast-enhanced techniques and to compare clinical results with alternative diagnostic procedures such as ultrasonography, CT,and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Material and Methods: Four different MRA techniques available today are presented that can be used for examination of the abdominal veins including sequence-parameters of the 2D TOF-FLASH technique, the 2D/3D PC techniques, the 2D True FISP technique, and the ultrafast 3D FLASH technique following i.v. administration of Gd-DTPA. Results: From data of the current literature usefulness and accuracy of MRA is demonstrated in different provinces of the abdominal veins. Discussion: On the basis of specific questions that are focused on MRA of the abdominal veins the value of this method is discussed under consideration of different techniques. MRA is evaluated under consideration of critical vascular areas, the role of contrast-enhanced MRA, suitable doses of contrast material, and new hard-ware configurations in the future. Furthermore, advantages and drawbacks of conventional MRA are compared with contrast-enhanced MRA-techniques, ultrasonography, CT and DSA.