Techniques for Imaging the Vascular System

Abstract

Since the introduction of MR technology into everyday clinical use, noninvasive imaging of the vascular system is of central interest due to the sensitivity of MR techniques for flow effects. “Black blood” MR angiography (MRA) is based on the induction of signal suppression by flowing spins in combination with conventional spin-echo sequences (see “outflow effect”). This technique does not image the endoluminal vessel morphology well. Its importance is based predominantly on the visualisation of vessel wall, wall thickness, the presence and extent of vessel wall thrombi or of infectious changes of the thoracic and abdominal aorta wall.