PURPOSE
Development of a technique for whole-body MR angiography based on a rolling table platform and integration of a surface coil.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The developed rolling table platform AngioSURF (System for Unlimited Rolling Field-of-view) with integrated surface coil can be mounted on top of the original patient table of a Siemens Symphony System. Data acquisition was performed with a standard body array surface coil. The system was tested on three volunteers and one patient with angiographically documented vascular pathology. Data acquisition was performed with a 3D-FLASH-sequence (TR/TE 2.1/0.7 ms, flip angle: 20 degrees, FOV 40 x 40 cm, 80 partitions, matrix 512 x 420 with zero interpolation). Five data sets were collected in immediate succession during continuous injection of a paramagnetic contrast agent. Time of acquisition per data set was 10 seconds. Table repositioning was performed manually within 3 seconds. Thus the total acquisition time amounted to 72 seconds.
RESULTS
No problems with handling occurred in any of the four cases. The excellent image quality enables detailed assessment of the displayed vascular territories.
CONCLUSIONS
The rolling table platform with integrated surface coil (AngioSURF) allows diagnostic display of the arterial vascular system from supraaortic vessels to the distal trifurcation arteries in only 72 seconds.