Accuracy Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Computed Tomography Angiography Using a Flow Experimental Model

Abstract

This study investigated the accuracy of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) in terms of reflecting the actual vascular length. Three-dimensional time of flight (3D TOF) MRA, 3D contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA, volume-rendering after CTA and maximum intensity projection were investigated using a flow model phantom with a diameter of 2.11 mm and area of 0.26 cm(2). 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla devices were used for 3D TOF MRA and 3D CE MRA. CTA was investigated using 16 and 64 channel CT scanners, and the images were transmitted and reconstructed by volume-rendering and maximum intensity projection, followed by conduit length measurement as described above. The smallest 3D TOF MRA measure was 2.51 +/- 0.12 mm with a flow velocity of 40 cm/s using the 3.0 Tesla apparatus, and 2.57 +/- 0.07 mm with a velocity of 71.5 cm/s using the 1.5 Tesla apparatus; both images were magnified from the actual measurement of 2.11 mm. The measurement with the 16 channel CT scanner was smaller (3.83 +/- 0.37 mm) than the reconstructed image on maximum intensity projection. The images from CTA from examination apparatus and reconstruction technique were all larger than the actual measurement.