angioRM

AngioRM refers to magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) performed with magnetic resonance imaging to visualize blood vessels. It uses MRI, sometimes with contrast, to produce three-dimensional images of arterial and venous structures. AngioRM is noninvasive and does not involve ionizing radiation, making it suitable for serial follow-up and for patients requiring repeated imaging.

Non-contrast approaches include time-of-flight (TOF) MRA and phase-contrast MRA, which exploit flow-related enhancement and phase differences to delineate vessels. Contrast-enhanced MRA uses gadolinium-based contrast agents to improve conspicuity and allows rapid acquisition; high-resolution 3D coverage is common. Modern protocols may combine multiple sequences to optimize vascular visualization in the head and neck, thorax, abdomen, or extremities.

AngioRM is used to evaluate aneurysms, stenotic vessels, occlusions, arteriovenous malformations, dissections, and congenital vascular anomalies. It aids preoperative planning, post-treatment surveillance, and assessment of vascular diseases in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast studies.

Safety and limitations: Contrast-enhanced MRA with gadolinium carries a small risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with severe kidney disease and requires consideration of renal function. Gadolinium deposition in brain tissue is an area of ongoing research. Some patients cannot have MRI due to implanted devices, claustrophobia, or other contraindications; motion can degrade image quality. Non-contrast methods may be less sensitive to slow flow or distal vessels.

AngioRM complements other vascular imaging modalities such as CT angiography and Doppler ultrasound, providing high soft-tissue contrast and functional information alongside anatomy.