Progress of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in elderly patients with diabetic lower extremity arterial disease

Diabetes is a common disease of the elderly. It may be complicated by multiple organ disease. Lower extremity arterial disease is the most common chronic complications in the elderly patients with diabetes. The clinical manifestations may present severe lower limb ischemic gangrene and even amputation possible. An accurate assessment of lower extremity arterial disease is important for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D-MRA) has become the main method of comprehensive evaluation of lower extremity arterial disease. The principle of 3D-MRA and progress of its clinical application in elderly patients with diabetic lower extremity arterial disease were reviewed in this article. (authors)