Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography at 3.0T scanner: significance in the classification of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

AIM: Aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D CE-MRA); at 3.0T scanner in the classification of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed of PAOD underwent 3D CE-MRA, 30 cases underwent digital subtracted angiography (DSA) successfully, and 12 cases underwent surgery. RESULTS: The vascular tree from the distal aorta to the lower limbs was well demonstrated. The extent and grade of disease seen in 3D CE-MRA closely matched those seen in DSA and/or surgery. Compared to the results of DSA and/or surgery, the common coincidence of 3D CE-MRA in diagnosing PAOD was 96.89% (780/805), the coincidence in diagnosing mild, moderate, severe stenosis and occlusion was 90.48% (76/84), 87.14% (61/70), 95.77% (68/71), and 98.29% (115/117) respectively, the rate of overestimate in mild, moderate, and severe stenosis was 5.95% (5/84), 10% (7/70), and 2.82% (2/71) respectively, the rate of underestimate in mild, moderate, severe stenosis and occlusion was 3.57% (3/84), 2.86% (2/70), 1.41% (1/71) and 1.74% (2/115) respectively. CONCLUSION: 3D CE-MRA at 3.0T scanner is of great value in the accurate assessment of the classification of PAOD; it is a reliable and promising new technique.