RadteraMRA Abdomen / Aorta with Lower Extremity Runoff With Contrast
MR+ ContrastVascular
Indications
- Peripheral arterial disease / claudication
- Aortoiliac and lower extremity occlusive disease
- Aneurysm surveillance
- Renal/mesenteric artery stenosis (abdominal MRA)
- Pre-/post-intervention or bypass graft assessment
Patient prep
- MRI safety screening; IV access (large-bore) for power injection
- eGFR per policy (GBCA); NPO not strictly required
- Supine, feet-first; body/peripheral vascular coils with table movement (bolus chase)
Contrast
Agentgadolinium-based (e.g., gadobutrol)
RouteIV
Dose0.1-0.2 mmol/kg, power-injected with saline chaser
TimingBolus-chase 3-station arterial acquisition (abdomen/pelvis -> thighs -> calves); often a steady-state/venous phase for calves
Technique
- Contrast-enhanced MRA is standard: coronal 3D spoiled GRE with table-moving bolus chase over 3 stations
- Mask (pre-contrast) at each station for subtraction
- Bolus tracking/test bolus to time abdominal aorta; chase the bolus distally
- Calf station is timing-sensitive (venous contamination); consider time-resolved (TWIST/TRICKS) for calves/feet
Series / Sequences
| # | Series / Sequence | Plane | Weighting / Recon | Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cor 3D CEMRA - abdomen/pelvis | coronal | T1 GRE +C | 1-1.5 mm | Aorta, renal, iliac; arterial phase |
| 2 | Cor 3D CEMRA - thighs | coronal | T1 GRE +C | 1-1.5 mm | Femoropopliteal station |
| 3 | Cor 3D CEMRA - calves/feet | coronal | T1 GRE +C | 1-1.5 mm | Tibial runoff; venous contamination risk |
| 4 | Time-resolved MRA calves (optional) | coronal | T1 GRE +C (4D) | 1-1.5 mm | TWIST/TRICKS for distal runoff |
| 5 | Pre-contrast mask (each station) | coronal | T1 GRE | 1-1.5 mm | Subtraction |
| 6 | Ax/Sag for aneurysm (optional) | axial | T1/T2 | 3-5 mm | Aneurysm sac, mural thrombus |
Key points
- Bolus-chase CEMRA over 3 stations is the standard approach for aortoiliac/runoff disease.
- Calf/foot station is most prone to venous contamination—time-resolved MRA improves distal runoff depiction.
- Pre-contrast masks enable subtraction to remove background.
- For abdominal MRA alone (renal/mesenteric), single-station breath-held arterial-phase 3D CEMRA.
- Review source images and MIPs; correlate stenosis grading carefully (flow artifacts).
References
• ACR-ASNR-SPR / ACR-SCBT-MR Practice Parameter for MR Angiography
• Radiopaedia: Peripheral / runoff MRA link
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Lower Extremity Arterial Disease
• Radiopaedia: Peripheral / runoff MRA link
• ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Lower Extremity Arterial Disease
Source: Researched — verify against your institution
‹ PreviousCTA Thoracic Aorta (Aneurysm / Dissection)Next ›MRA Neck (Carotid/Vertebral) With and Without Contrast
Reference template — verify and adapt to your scanner, vendor and institution before clinical use. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.