Combined Luminal and Hemodynamic Nonenhanced Neck MR Angiography Using an Efficient Tilted Multiple Thin-Overlapping-Slab Strategy

Motivation: Luminal and hemodynamic measurements inform the diagnosis and management of cervical arterial disease, however, few imaging protocols efficiently provide both evaluations in a single standalone protocol. Goal(s): To test an efficient nonenhanced tilted stack-of-stars thin-overlapping-slab quiescent interval slice-selective (tilted-SOS-QISS) MRA protocol that provides both hemodynamic and high-resolution luminal evaluation of the cervical arteries. Approach: 3D tilted-SOS-QISS was acquired in 20 subjects. Image quality was scored. Hemodynamic comparisons were made with phase contrast MRI. Results: Nonenhanced 3D tilted-SOS-QISS provided excellent image quality for displaying the cervical arteries, and provided reliable time-averaged hemodynamic flow velocity and flow rate data that agreed with phase contrast MRI. Impact: The provision of high-quality luminal and hemodynamic data in a single and efficient nonenhanced MRA protocol may help to reduce costs, enhance our ability to evaluate the hemodynamic impact of cervical arterial disease, and inform clinical decision-making.