MRA
Assistant
Introduction
Used to evaluate the brain’s arterial anatomy
Indications (study of / in suspicion of):
Aneurysm
Stenosis/occlusion related to stroke, or carotid stenosis
Dissection
Arteriovenous malformations
Done without contrast (MRA – brain), hence it is a good alternative to CT angiography for patients on whom contrast cannot be used. However, MRA – Neck requires gadolinium contrast.
Left MCA Aneurysm – MRA |
The MRA performed on a 3T magnet shows an aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) demonstrated in the global frontal view (left image) by a large white arrow, and in the magnified view of the MCA (yellow arrow) Image Courtesy of Philips Medical Systems 92812.8 |
MRA of LMCA stenosis |
The MRA performed on a 3T magnet shows a stenosis (arrow) of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) demonstrated in the global frontal view (left image) , and in the magnified view of the MCA Courtesy of Philips Medical Systems 92813c |