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Assessment of intracranial collateral flow by using dynamic arterial spin labeling MRA and transcranial color-coded duplex ultrasound.

Sallustio F, Kern R, Günther M, Szabo K, Griebe M, Meairs S, Hennerici M, Gass A

Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68135 Mannheim, Germany.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of a new dynamic MRA sequence (DynAngio) based on arterial spin labeling for the assessment of intracranial collateral flow. METHODS: Twelve patients with unilateral internal carotid artery obstruction were investigated. Different patterns of collateral flow were compared between DynAngio, transcranial color-coded duplex ultrasound, and time-of-flight MRA. RESULTS: There was a good agreement between the methods, with sensitivities between 80% and 90%. Small collateral vessels were detected more frequently with DynAngio compared to time-of-flight MRA. CONCLUSIONS: DynAngio provides anatomic and similar to transcranial color-coded duplex ultrasound functional information on collateral flow for the assessment of intracranial hemodynamics.

Published 28 May 2008 in Stroke, 39(6): 1894-7.
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