Evaluation of chronic carotid artery occlusion by non-contrast 3D-MERGE MR vessel wall imaging: comparison with 3D-TOF-MRA, contrast-enhanced MRA, and DSA

Conclusion3D-MERGE can reliably assess chronic carotid occlusive characteristics and has the ability to identify other vessel wall features of the occluded segment. This non-contrast MR vessel wall imaging technique is promising for assessment of CCAO.Key Points• Excellent agreement was found between 3D-MERGE and DSA for assessing chronic carotid artery occlusion, occlusion site, and proximal stump condition.• 3D-MERGE was shown to be a more accurate and efficient tool than 3D-TOF-MRA to detect the characteristics of the occluded segment.• 3D-MERGE provides not only luminal images for characterizing the proximal characteristics of occlusion but also vessel wall images for assessing the distal lumen and morphology of occlusion segment, which might help clinicians to optimize the treatment strategy for patients with chronic carotid artery occlusion.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research