Ultra-High Field 2D TOF MRA of Pelvis and Lower Extremity: Comparison of 5T and 3 T

Motivation: The introduction of ultra-high field 5 tesla (T) system provides brand-new opportunities in whole-body MR that can potentially be applied in peripheral MR angiography (MRA). Goal(s): This study performed two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) MRA of the lower body in ten healthy volunteers for both 3T and 5T systems. Approach: MRA with high spatial resolutions (true voxel sizes, 1$$$\times$$$1.25$$$\times$$$2) from different field strengths were evaluated quantitively and qualitatively. Results: 2D TOF MRA at 5 T is capable of providing superior vessel delineation and image quality (in both quantitative and subjective assessment) to 3 T. Impact: This comparative study demonstrated the superiority of 5T to 3T in TOF MRA for pelvis and lower extremities. 5T TOF MRA provides a possible alternative for the clinical assessment of peripheral arteries.