3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography using fluoroscopic triggering and an elliptical centric view order

Although a variety of timing techniques and data acquisition strategies have been used for three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography, many are still limited by inadequate overall reliability, limited spatial resolution, or complexity. A technique is presented in this work in which contrast arrival is detected in the targetted vasculature in real time using MR fluoroscopy. Upon detection the operator triggers a 3D MR angiographic acquisition which uses an elliptical centric view order. It is shown that the view order intrinsically provides a high degree of venous suppression which in turn allows acquisition times of 30 seconds or longer, permitting high spatial resolution. The reliability of fluoroscopic triggering in bolus detection is shown to be over 90%. The technique provides high quality contrast-enhanced MR angiograms for many vascular regions.