Aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries: comparison of three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography and conventional angiography.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical feasibility of three-dimensional dynamic contrast agent-enhanced subtraction magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in patients with symptoms of lower extremity ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients suspected of having lower extremity ischemia underwent three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography of the aortoiliac arteries and arteries of the lower extremity. As the reference standard, conventional angiography was also performed. For data analysis, the arterial system was divided into 10 segments. Each segment was classified as normal, mildly stenosed, moderately stenosed, severely stenosed, or occluded. RESULTS: At conventional angiography, 83 stenosed segments (14 mildly stenosed, 16 moderately stenosed, 14 severely stenosed, and 39 occluded) were identified in a total of 423 segments. For the segments with more than mild stenosis, MR angiography was 97.1% sensitive and 99.2% specific. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MR angiography has high sensitivity and specificity. This technique is a noninvasive alternative to conventional angiography for screening patients suspected of having lower extremity ischemia.