MR Angiography and Development: Review of Clinical Applications

Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography (CR-MRA) is remarkable technique to image the vascular system from head to toe in diagnostic imaging armoury. Computed tomography is still an adequate imaging method of choice in few applications such as in follow-up studies in neuro-vascular pathologies, even then MRA is getting an equal share with tremendous improvements in spatial and temporal resolution. Current clinical indications for MRA of the supra-aortic vessels in head and neck include evaluation of steno-occlusive disease, assessment of AV-malformations in cerebral vessels, aneurysms, atherosclerotic disease and dissections. Moreover, as with other imaging applications, limiting contrast dose is a major issue, particularly with the increased risk of development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) with higher doses of contrast agent [1] [2]. Therefore, contrast agents with higher relaxivity or higher concentration (1M), for which lower doses may be used, are beneficial for dynamic MRA studies.