Fast field echo imaging and dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MR imaging in arteriovenous malformations

Twelve patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were studied by MR using fast field echo (FFE) imaging and/or dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging. All AVMs were proved angiographically and/or surgically. Dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging was helpful in detecting cryptic AVMs, as in this small series the parameters time and ascent to peak, and height of peak were different from values, that were seen in tumors. FFE imaging using a flip-angle of 450, relaxation time = 35 msec, and echo time = 1.72 msec resulted in virtually anatomic images. The combination of FFE and GD-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging demonstrated the feeder of one of five cryptic AVMs