MRI Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about MRI, including details on magnetic resonance imaging, neuroimaging, brain tumors.

Acquired diseases of the thoracic aorta: role of MRI and MRA.

Russo V, Renzulli M, Buttazzi K, Fattori R

Department of Radiology, Cardiovascular Unit, Policlinico S. Orsola, Padiglione 21, Bologna, Italy. virusso@fastwebnet.it

Diseases of the thoracic aorta can present with a broad clinical spectrum of symptoms and signs. Their prevalence appears to be increasing in western populations, most likely corresponding to aging and heightened clinical awareness but also influenced by the progress of high-resolution, noninvasive imaging modalities. Among them, MRI provides an excellent visualization of vascular structures and is well suited for evaluation of thoracic aorta disease. Currently, in many centers, noninvasive imaging modalities are the first choice in the cardiovascular system evaluation and diagnosis, reserving conventional angiography for use only before therapeutic intervention. Understanding the principle MRA techniques is essential for acquiring consistent diagnostic images. Basic technical considerations, which include fast spin-echo, fast gradient-echo, and MRA techniques with phase contrast and contrast-enhanced methods, are discussed and applied in the evaluation of acquired thoracic aorta diseases.

Published 13 March 2006 in Eur Radiol, 16(4): 852-65.
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