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Comparison of 1.5 T and 3 T non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography for visualization of uterine and ovarian arteries before uterine artery embolization

  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the performance of non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA) at 1.5 T and 3 T for the visualization of uterine and ovarian arteries (OAs) before uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Methods

Preprocedural pelvic NCE-MRA images of 85 symptomatic patients undergoing UAE for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas were reviewed by two specialists in pelvic MRI. Left and right uterine arteries (UAs) were judged separately and scored on a 5-point scale. Score 5 was the highest, in which the UA could be visualized inside the musculature, forming a peritumoral plexus. Score 1 was the lowest, where visualization was limited to the descending segment. The detection of enlarged OAs was also compared. The Mann–Whitney U and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Of the 170 UAs, 110 were classified at 1.5 T and 60 were classified at 3 T. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) score was 3 (IQR: 2–4) for visualization at 1.5 T vs 5 (IQR: 4–5) for 3 T. The scores for UA visualization were significantly higher at 3 T (p < 0.05). For enlarged OAs, NCE-MRA at 1.5 T and 3 T visualized 7 and 5 enlarged OAs, respectively; there was no significant difference between the two field strengths (p = 0.36).

Conclusions

NCE-MRA performed at 3 T can visualize UAs over a greater range than at 1.5 T. No difference was found regarding the detection of enlarged OAs.

Key Points

• Preprocedural MRA can provide interventional radiologists with valuable information, including the origin and course of the uterine arteries and the existence of collateral feeders to the tumor.

• This study demonstrates the superiority of non-contrast-enhanced MRA performed at 3 T over that performed at 1.5 T in the visualization of the uterine arteries in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas.

• Non-contrast-enhanced MRA is a useful imaging modality for patients with symptomatic leiomyoma undergoing uterine artery embolization in whom contrast administration is unfeasible. If available, it is preferable to perform the examination with a 3 T MR unit rather than a 1.5 T MR unit.

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Abbreviations

3D:

Three-dimensional

BBTI:

Black blood time interval

ESUR:

European Society of Urogenital Radiology

IQR:

Interquartile range

MIP:

Maximum intensity projection

MRA:

Magnetic resonance angiography

NCE:

Non-contrast-enhanced

OA:

Ovarian artery

sIR:

Slice-selective IR

STIR:

Short-tau inversion recovery

T:

Tesla

T1WI:

T1-weighted imaging

T2WI:

T2-weighted imaging

Time-SLIP:

Time–spatial labeling inversion pulse

true-SSFP:

True steady-state free precession

UA:

Uterine artery

UAE:

Uterine artery embolization

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Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo Bunkyo City, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan

    Juliana Yumi Ishisaki, Xixi Zhang, Yoshiki Kuwatsuru, Hideaki Miyazaki & Ryohei Kuwatsuru

  2. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan

    Hitomi Kato, Shuji Sato & Ryohei Kuwatsuru

Authors
  1. Juliana Yumi Ishisaki
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  2. Hitomi Kato
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  3. Xixi Zhang
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  4. Yoshiki Kuwatsuru
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  5. Hideaki Miyazaki
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  6. Shuji Sato
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  7. Ryohei Kuwatsuru
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Correspondence to Ryohei Kuwatsuru.

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The scientific guarantor of this publication is Ryohei Kuwatsuru.

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The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

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Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board.

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Ishisaki, J.Y., Kato, H., Zhang, X. et al. Comparison of 1.5 T and 3 T non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography for visualization of uterine and ovarian arteries before uterine artery embolization. Eur Radiol 32, 470–476 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08141-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08141-z

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