Feasibility of carotid bifurcation angle measurement with oblique sagittal T(1)-weighted black-blood magnetic resonance imaging / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility by oblique sagittal T(1)-weighted (QIR-FSE) black-blood sequence for measurement of the carotid bifurcation angle.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three patients undergoing carotid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were divided in normal group and plaque group. Carotid bifurcation angle was measured by both 2D-TOF and oblique sagittal T(1)W (QIR-FSE) black-blood sequence, and the measurement was repeated after 3 months to evaluate the reproducibility. The measurement results using 2D-TOF and oblique sagittal T(1)W (QIR-FSE) black-blood sequence were compared to assess the consistency of the two sequences. Four different angles of each carotid artery were measured from different locations on oblique sagittal T(1)W. The ratio of the bilateral carotid bifurcation angle (Right/Left) was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten patients in each group were enrolled after excluding 3 patients. Strong correlations were found between the results of the first and the second measurements for both 2D-TOF and oblique sagittal T(1)W sequences. No significant difference was found between the two sequences in the ratio of bilateral carotid bifurcation angle (right/left), nor in the 4 angles from different locations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oblique sagittal T(1)-weighted (QIR-FSE) black-blood sequence can be used to measure the carotid bifurcation angle.</p>