ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of 3T-TOF MR angiography (3T-TOF MRA) compared with transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and conventional angiography (CA) in patients with suspected cerebral infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty four patients with clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction were involved in this study, and had undergone 3T-TOF MRA and TCD, with CA in 11 patients. On the basis of divisions of the carotid artery, four groups were designated: group I, both vertebral arteries and basilar artery; group II, segment between 2 cm below bifurcation of common carotid artery and genu portion of internal carotid artery; group III, segment between petrous portion of internal carotid artery and bifurcation of anterior and middle cerebral artery; group IV, from bifurcation of anterior and middle cerebral artery to thier distal branches. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the vascular imaging and stenosis in 3T-TOF MRA, TCD, and CA. RESULTS: A total of 432 arteries, 108 in each group, were available. The assessment of vascular imaging quality in 3T-TOF MRA is scored 2.98, 2.96, 2.91, 2.88 in 4 groups, respectively. Agreement among 3TTOF MR angiography, TCD, and CA was high. CONCLUSION: 3T-TOF MR angiography may be useful method for the assessment of stenotic lesions of cranial vasculature in patients with cerebral infarction.