Role of new slow-flow MR angiography sequence in grading spinal stenosis

To predict the degree of spinal stenosis based on a new slow-flow MR angiographic sequence. This paper reports on a slow-flow steady-state gradient-echo sequence developed and implemented on a 1.5-T Siemens Magnetom system with special sensitivity to slow flow (0.5 mm/sec). This sequence can supplement standard spine examinations and takes approximately 1 minute to complete. We reviewed 50 cases with various degrees of lumbar stenosis: high grade (n = 20), medium grade (n = 9), and low grade (n = 21). In nine cases, the results of the slow-flow sequence were compared with those of myelography