MRA of intracranial aneurysm models: A comparison of contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MRA with time-of-flight MRA

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to compare contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography (MRA) using ultrafast spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state (SPGR) with 2D and 3D time-of-flight (TOF) MRA for visualization of intracranial lateral saccular aneurysm models. Method: We used lateral saccular aneurysm models with a height of 10 mm and neck sizes of 2.5 and 10 mm. Imaging was performed using a 1.5 T NIR system with a head coil. Contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiograms were obtained using 3D ultrafast SPGR sequence with and without the MR Smartprep technique. Two-dimensional and 3D TOF MR angiograms were also obtained. Results: Contrast-enhanced multiphase 3D MR angiograms taken every 5 s after injection of contrast medium proved superior to the other MRA techniques for delineating lateral saccular aneurysm models. Contrast-enhanced 3D MRA images taken with inadequate delay after MR Smartprep trigger showed poor visualization of the aneurysm model. Conclusion: Use of contrast-enhanced multiphase 3D MRA with ultrafast: SPGR with shorter TR and TE resulted in clear images of the lateral saccular aneurysm model.