Magnetic resonance imaging in aortic aneurysm

At Okayama University Medical School, the clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) started in August 1984, and 16 patients with aortic aneurysm have been imaged by short spin echo (TR400msec, TE40msec) with a Toshiba MRT-15A (resistive type of magnet with a strength of 0.15T).MRI demonstrated the intimal flap and enabled the differentiatian between true and false lumens from the signal intensity. Thrombi were shown with high intensity and were differentiated from fast blood flow, but in some cases clots could not be distinguished from slow flow.MRI in which multiple planes are imaged directly without contrast medium, is a very useful imaging modality for the evaluation of aortic aneurysm.