MR angiography of occlusive disease of the arteries in the head and neck: current concepts

Abstract

MR angiography has many applications in the evaluation of cerebrovascular disease (aneurysm, vascular malformation, neoplasm, arterial and venous occlusive disease) [1]. Of these, the most common application may be in the assessment of arterial occlusive disease in patients at risk for stroke [2]. Consequently, the accuracy of MR angiography vs conventional angiography in this assessment will most likely determine the extent to which MR angiography is routinely used in clinical practice. In this paper, we review the results of clinical trials in which MR angiography has been used to evaluate arterial occlusive disease in the head and neck and describe those recent developments that promise improved visualization of the vasculature.