Abstract:
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of non-contrast-enhanced ECG-gated MR angiography(NCE-MRA) in lower extremity artery disease.
MethodsThe lower extremity artery disease in 30 patients was detected using NCE-MRA and contrast-enhanced MR angiography(CE-MRA), respectively.The detection time between two examination methods was compared.The image quality was scored using 5-point scale according to the arterial display, venous infection and soft tissue artifacts.CE-MRA was set as the standard, the stenosis degree of each segment of blood vessel of NCE-MRA was assessed.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of severe stenosis artery diagnosed by NCE-MRA were calculated.The consistency of NCE-MRA and CE-MRA in diagnosis of severe stenosis was analyzed.
ResultsThe examination time of CE-MRA was significantly shorter than that of NCE-MRA(P < 0.01).Four hundred and eighty segmental arteries in 30 patients were identified, and 477 segmental arteries of CE-MRA(99.4%) and 466 segmental arteries of NCE-MRA(92.9%) were accord with diagnostic requirements.The image quality scores of CE-MRA in abdomen-pelvis, thigh and calf vessels were better than those of NCE-MRA(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).CE-MRA was set as the standard, 37 and 13 severe stenosis arteries were over and under estimated by NCE-MRA, respectively.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of NCE-MRA were 93.97%, 92.21%, 90.78%, 94.94% and 93.00%, respectively.The consistency of two methods in the diagnosis of severe arterial stenosis of the lower extremity was good(Kappa=0.859, P < 0.05).
ConclusionsNCE-MRA is a safe and effective technique.The accuracy of NCE-MRA in showing severe stenosis of lower limb artery is high, which can be used as an alternative method for arteriography of lower extremity in patients with renal insufficiency or not suitable for contrast agents.