ABSTRACT
Objective To solve the limitation of the wide-bound imaging from aortic arch to the bifurcation of internal and external carotid artery by changing 3D TOF MRA scan parameters, and discuss the clinical value of this technology in carotid artery angiography. Methods 108 patients with cerebrovascular disease were performed with carotid artery 3D TOF MRA. Images were performed under MIP, MPR and VR. The images of bilateral common carotid arteries, external and internal carotid artery, and vertebral artery were evaluated interactively by two independent radiologists blinded to results. Results 864 blood vessels were observed with 3D TOF MRA, including 672 normal clearly, 17 unclear, 17 congenital variants, 73 un -smooth lesion, 63 vascular stenosis, 9 vascular occlusion, 5 not display, 4 depressed downward, 4 vascular enlargement. Totally,unclear, variation and lesion blood vessels were 192. The results in combination with original image analysis could meet the need of diagonosis. Conclusion 3D TOF MRA as a noninvasive and non contrast agent imaging method can be used to select the carotid stenosis and is quite good in the value of application.