Fast field echo imaging in aortic dissection

MR imaging has been reported as a promising noninvasive modality in imaging aortic dissection. However, in case of a large disruption of the intima it is difficult and often impossible to differentiate between the true and false lumina, since phase differences between blood flow in both lumina are minimal. Fast field echo (FFE) imaging in combination with high magnetic field strength makes it possible to depict these small phase differences of blood flow between the true and false lumina. Five patients with known dissections were examined by FFE using a high-field-strength system (1.5T). Using electrocardiographic gating, a series of 16 consecutive images of a single slice through the aortic dissection were obtained, providing images in different phases of the cardiac cycle. In all cases phase differences in blood flow between the true and false lumina could be depicted, using a small flip angle and short echo time. Based on these preliminary results, they conclude that FFE using appropriate flip angles and short echo time in combination with high magnetic field strength will provide important additional information when diagnosing aortic dissection