Peripheral arterial disease. Contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography of the lower leg and foot compared with conventional angiography

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography (CE MRA) could replace digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the evaluation of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the lower leg and foot. Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with symptoms of atherosclerotic disease of the leg were examined prospectively with CE MRA of the foot and the lower legs as well as with DSA from the aorta to the pedal arches. The MRA technique was focused on optimal imaging of the arteries of the foot. Results: The agreement between CE MRA and DSA for grading of stenosis was moderate to good (weighted κ-values 0.48–0.80). The sensitivity of CE MRA for detection of significant stenosis (≥ 50%) was 92% and the specificity was 64% with DSA as gold standard. Conclusion: CE MRA is a fairly accurate method for the demonstration of atherosclerotic disease below the knee including the pedal arches. It can replace DSA for the assessment of distal arteries in patients with impaired renal function. However, image quality and resolution still needs to be improved before CE MRA can become the method of choice in all patients.