Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pulmonary Embolism: Diagnostic Accuracy of Contrast-Enhanced 3D MRA, Contrast-Enhanced Low Flip Angle 3D Gradient Echo and Noncontrast Steady-State Free Precession Sequences

Bobby Kalb¹, Puneet Sharma¹, Gaye Ray¹, Daniel Karolyi¹, Hiroumi Kitajima¹, Khalil Salman¹, Diego R. Martin¹

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has a potential role for PE diagnosis, shown in multiple studies. Alternative MRA-like methods that further improve diagnostic accuracy and simplify the acquisition techniques remain an area of clinically important development. MRA-like alternatives that produce enhancing signal from the vessel wall provide high contrast without need for bolus timing, and/or provide motion-insensitivity to respiration, with sequences including low flip angle (FA) 3D gradient echo (3D GRE), or steady state free precession (SSFP) sequences. Our study demonstrates the utility of low FA 3D GRE and SSFP sequences in conjunction with MRA for the diagnosis of PE.