USEFULNESS OF TURBO-FLASH DYNAMIC MR-IMAGING OF DISSECTING ANEURYSMS OF THE THORACIC AORTA

Purpose: We attempted to determine whether Turbo-FLASH dynamic magnetic resonance imaging is clinically useful for the diagnosis of dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta by differentiating slow flow from thrombus in the false lumen. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in ten patients using three different pulse sequences (spin echo, cine and turbo-FLASH dynamic MRI). The three imaging techniques were compared for their ability to demonstrate anatomical and hemodynamic abnormalities by visual assessment. Results: In all patients with thrombus in the false lumen, the thrombus was accurately differentiated from slow flow on contrast enhanced turbo-FLASH dynamic MRI, but only with difficulty on spin echo and cine MRI. Dynamic MRI was also useful for the evaluation of flow dynamics in the false lumen. Conclusion: Turbo-FLASH dynamic MRI is recommended for patients with dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, not definitely diagnosed by spin echo and cine MRI.