Media type: E-Article Title: Volumetric interpolated contrast‐enhanced MRA for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in an ex vivo system Contributor: Biederer, Jürgen; Liess, Carsten; Charalambous, Nikolas; Heller, Martin imprint: Wiley, 2004 Published in: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Language: English DOI: 10.1002/jmri.20021 ISSN: 1522-2586; 1053-1807 Keywords: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging Origination: Footnote: Description: <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Purpose</jats:title><jats:p>To implement a three‐dimensional gradient‐recalled echo (GRE) volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE) sequence for pulmonary contrast‐enhanced MRA (CE‐MRA) in an experimental setup.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Materials and Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Eight porcine lungs were intubated, inflated inside a chest phantom, and examined at 1.5 T during slow perfusion (2–300 mL/minute). Three‐dimensional‐MRA was performed with and without contrast agent using three‐dimensional‐GRE (VIBE) with TR/TE = 4.5/1.9 msec, TA = 23 seconds, FOV = 390 mm, FA = 12°/30°, as well as a standard three‐dimensional‐GRE sequence and T2 fast spin‐echo (FSE) sequences. Four of the eight lungs were embolized with autologous blood clots. By consensus readings, two observers evaluated the detectability of peripheral vessels, signal intensity over vessels and lung, and visualization of emboli. Digital subtraction angiograms served as a control to document vessel patency.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Prior to contrast administration, three‐dimensional‐VIBE/12° yielded the best results for lung parenchyma signal and visualization of small vessels (third‐order, <jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.01); however, no emboli were detected (due to lack of contrast). After administration of contrast agent, three‐dimensional‐GRE (VIBE) at FA = 30° provided significantly better results (fifth‐order branches, documentation of subsegmental occlusions [fourth order], <jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.01). T2‐FSE images documented water uptake into the lungs. Digitally subtracted angiography (DSA) confirmed the patency of seventh‐order branches.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>This ex vivo study confirms the potential advantages of using a dual MR investigation for pulmonary embolism, combining three‐dimensional‐GRE (VIBE) at FA = 12° to image lung parenchyma and at FA = 30° for CE‐MRA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;19:428–437. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.</jats:p></jats:sec>