Abstract
Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine if fusion images from non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and non-contrast computed tomography (CT) can provide useful information for the pretreatment evaluation of peripheral artery disease patients with renal dysfunction prior to interventional radiology (IVR).
Methods : Non-contrast MRA was performed on 3 and 1.5 tesla MR system (Canon Medical Systems Vantage TitanTM/cS Edition) with a 3D balanced SSFP of the abdomen and an FBI of the lower extremities, respectively.
Non-contrast CT was performed on a Canon Medical Systems AQUILION-Prime SP. Auto Exposure Control (AEC) was used to reduce radiation dose, and image reconstruction was performed with Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction (AIDR 3D). Fusion images of the non-contrast MRA with the CT were created at a workstation (FUJIFILM Medical Systems SYNAPSE VINCENT Ver.5.5).
Results : Fusion of the arterial information obtained by non-contrast MRA with the arterial calcification and surrounding bone information obtained by the CT provided a useful image to support the IVR procedures. No preoperative contrast-enhanced CT angiography was performed, thus reducing the overall amount of contrast media used. Appropriate patient immobilization reduced any misalignment between the MRI and CT.
Conclusion : Image fusion techniques of non-contrast MRA with non-contrast CT can provide minimally invasive and useful images to support IVR procedures without the use of contrast agents.
