日本小児循環器学会雑誌 Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a noninvasive technique utilizing the MR phenomenon to evaluate cardiovascular morphology without exposing the patient to radiation and requiring contrast media. However, MRA has a long acquisition time, poor spatial resolution, and multiple imaging methods, making it difficult to determine the appropriate type of MRA to use. In this review, the principles and applications of typical MRA imaging methods are described, followed by a discussion of which type of MRA to choose. MR lymphangiography (MRL) is a technique that uses the MR phenomenon to evaluate the morphology of lymphatic vessels. MRL has two types, including non-contrast MRL (NCMRL), which allows for static evaluation without using contrast media, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRL (DCMRL), which allows for dynamic evaluation with the use of contrast media. The present article also explains the characteristics and applications of both MRL types and discusses the issue of deciding when to use each type.