Superior Visualization of Moyamoya Disease Collaterals: A Comparative Analysis of 5.0T vs. 3.0T Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Motivation: Limited studies have scrutinized the capability of MRI in evaluating collateral circulation in Moyamoya Disease (MMD), with 3.0T TOF MRA often lacking the necessary precision. Goal(s): To systematically compare the effectiveness of 5.0T and 3.0T TOF MRA in depicting the complex vascular networks in MMD patients. Approach: A retrospective study on 21 MMD patients was performed using both 5.0T and 3.0T MRI systems, focusing on the visibility of moyamoya vessels, leptomeningeal anastomoses, and basal ganglia signal intensity. Results: The study found that 5.0T MRA significantly outperforms 3.0T in visualizing the fine details of MMD's vascular architecture. Impact: The introduction of 5.0T MRA into clinical practice could revolutionize the imaging landscape for Moyamoya Disease, offering superior diagnostic clarity and aiding in the precise evaluation of cerebrovascular collateral networks, which is critical for surgical planning and patient prognosis.