Three-dimensional time of flight magnetic resonance angiography at 5.0T: Visualization of the superior cerebellar artery

Background

To explore the utility of 5.0T ultra-high field magnetic resonance (MR) for the assessment of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA).

Methods

Imaging data from 55 patients (19 men and 36 women) who underwent three-dimensional time of flight MR angiography (3D-TOF-MRA) with 5.0T MRI in the Shandong University Affiliated Shandong Provincial Third Hospital from May 22, 2023 to June 16, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The origin, caliber, and course of the SCA were recorded. An independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences in quantitative indexes between the two groups.

Results

A total of 123 superior cerebellar arteries were detected in 55 patients. We found that 86.99% of superior cerebellar arteries were longer than the P3 segment of the posterior cerebral artery. The superior cerebellar arteries were divided into nine types according to the origin of the SCA, with Type A accounting for the highest proportion (approximately 49.09%). The mean diameter of the SCA was 1.11 ± 0.22 mm, while the mean diameters of the right and left sides were 1.13 ± 0.24 mm and 1.07 ± 0.27 mm, respectively. There were no differences in SCA diameters between the two sides (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

3D-TOF-MRA with ultra-high field 5.0T MR can effectively evaluate the SCA, and provides a new effective imaging evaluation method for clinical practice.