Comparison of different techniques for non-contrast –enhanced and contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Carotid arteries

Purpose: Since the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical routine vascular imaging always has been a challenge. Early MR angiography (MRA) techniques were based on intrinsic contrast mechanisms related to blood (non CE techniques). The development of contrast enhanced (CE) MRA techniques using gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) substantially changed vascular MR applications and pushed the envelope for non-invasive vascular diagnosis. However, the advent of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) with a possible direct link to the application of GBCA triggered a renaissance of non CE MRA with the development of new techniques. Purpose of the study was to compare 5 different techniques for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the carotid arteries among which three are non CE [1] and two are CE MRA techniques [2] in an intraindividual setting. To the best of our knowledge there is no study published comparing established and newly developed non CE and CE MRA techniques in an intraindividual comparison.