MRA of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Martin R. Prince, MD, PhD
AAA Definition Normal Abdominal Aorta = cm* Aneurysmal Abdominal Aorta > 3 cm* *measure outer wall to outer wall 6.9 cm
AAA Natural History Expansion rate = 2-4 mm/year –Larger aneurysms expand faster than small diameter aneurysms –> 5mm in 6 months risk of rupture Risk of Rupture (over 5 years) < 4 cm2%follow 4-5 cm3-12% +/- repair > 5 cm25-41%repair 9.2 cm
Imaging AAA Ultrasound- screening and following CT- suspected rupture - following with precision MRA- pre-operative planning - following with precision Angio- contraindication to MR - resolving issues - stent graft placement Ultrasound
AAA Surgical Mortality Elective:4% 6% w/ late complications Ruptured:49% (23%-69%) CT shows aortic rupture
AAA MRA Technique Sag T1 or SSFSE7 min Coronal 3D Gd MRA 30s x 3 Axial 2D TOF post Gd7 min Axial 3D PC (Venc = 30 cm/sec)8min Total imaging time~24 minutes Sequences Time Sag T1
3D Gd MRA Gd dose = 40 ml Gd bolus timing is critical SmartPrep 8 sec image acquisition delay 3 mm slices: Zip 1.5mm Include iliac arteries Exclude anterior part of AAA
Check iliac Artery Position
Axial 2D Time of Flight Post Gd Thick slices 4 NEX Respiratory compersation No saturation pulse Cover from celiac to femoral head Use large Gap (10-20 cm)
Axial 3D PC Post Gd 2.5 mm slice thickness encode in all 3 directions Venc = 30 cm/sec reconstruct overlapping axial MIPs
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
AAA Classification Thoraco abdominal suprarenal pararenal juxtarenal infrarenal Thick MIPThinner MIP
Suprarenal AAA Aneurysm ends above celiac Sag Oblique MIP
AAA Classification Thoraco abdominal suprarenal pararenal juxtarenal infrarenal Coronal MIP Sagittal MIP
Pararenal Coronal MIP Sagittal MIP Axial MIP Renal artery arises from aneurysm
AAA Classification Thoraco abdominal suprarenal pararenal juxtarenal infrarenal Coronal MIP
Juxtarenal 9mm Aneurysm begins within 1 cm of renal artery origins: Clamp above renals
AAA Classification Thoraco abdominal suprarenal pararenal juxtarenal infrarenal Thick MIP Thinner MIP
Infrarenal AAA > 1cm between AAA & renal artery 3.2 cm
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants Retroperitoneal enhancement
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy –dissecting Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
Aneurysms associated with AAA thoracic aorta iliac common femoral popliteal renal visceral Coronal MIPSag MIP
Renal Artery Aneurysms
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants Coronal MIP
Post tube graft: iliac aneurysms left renal artery stenosis Coronal MIPMag Coronal thin MIP
AAA Surgical Planning Issues Proximal extent: classification Distal Extent Size Character –inflammatory –shaggy Associated Aneurysms Occlusive Disease Anatomic Variants
AAA w/accessory renal arteries
Retroaortic left renal vein
Summary MRA for pre-op AAA evaluation Gd is essential No nephrotoxicity Analyze data systematically