Unenhanced Techniques for Peripheral MRA: Phantom Evaluation in the Setting of Triphasic Flow and Stenosis

Erik John Offerman¹, Philip Anthony Hodnett, ¹², Robert R. Edelman¹, Ioannis Koktzoglou¹

The link between NSF and Gadolinium has renewed interest in unenhanced MRA techniques that can match the diagnostic potential of contrast-enhanced MRA. Predominant peripheral MRA techniques are evaluated in a 50% stenotic triphasic flow phantom. The techniques are compared by measuring the signal within the stenosis and observing coronal thin MIPs at select flow velocities. The performance of the techniques is dependent on the peak systolic flow velocity of the waveform. Each technique exhibited signal dropout in the area of stenosis at different velocities, and some experienced dropout proximal and distal to the stenosis. Signal vs. flow velocity trend differed between 50% and no stenosis conditions.