MR Angiography - Overview & Technique

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of producing extremely detailed pictures of body tissues and organs without the need for x-rays. The electromagnetic energy that is released when exposing a patient to radiofrequency waves in a strong magnetic field is measured and analyzed by a computer, which forms two- or three-dimensional images that may be viewed on a TV monitor.

MR angiography (MRA) is an MRI study of the blood vessels. It utilizes MRI technology to detect, diagnose and aid the treatment of heart disorders, stroke, and blood vessel diseases. MRA provides detailed images of blood vessels without using any contrast material, although a special form of contrast material is often given to make the MRI images even clearer. The procedure is painless, and the magnetic field is not known to cause tissue damage of any kind.

MRA - Alternative Names and Explanations

MRA; Angiography - magnetic resonance, MR angiogram, MR angiography, MR angio,

Magnetic Resonance Angiography - Benefits & Risks versus Other Diagnostic Tests

MRA Benefits

• Angiography may eliminate the need for surgery. If surgery remains necessary, it can be performed more accurately.
• Detailed images of blood vessels and blood flow are obtained without having to insert a catheter, so in an MRA study there is no risk of damaging an artery.
• The MR angiography procedure itself may be shorter than a traditional catheter angiogram and requires no recovery period.
• MR angiography is less costly than catheter angiography.
• Even without using contrast material, MR angiography can provide high-quality images of many blood vessels, making it very useful for patients prone to allergic reactions.
• The contrast material used in MRI exams is less likely to produce an allergic reaction than the iodine-based materials used for conventional x-rays and CT scanning.

MR angiogram - Indications, Common Uses, & Positive Findings

• MRA is a very useful way of finding problems with blood vessels and determining how to best to treat those problems. For example, a cerebral MRA may be used to find problems with the brain blood vessels.  
• The carotid arteries in the neck that conduct blood to the brain are a common site of atherosclerosis, which may severely narrow or block off an artery, reducing blood flow to the brain and even causing a stroke.
• If an ultrasound study shows that such disease is present, many surgeons now will do the necessary operation after confirmation by MRA, dispensing with the need for catheter angiography.
• MRA has found wide use in checking patients for diseased intracranial (in the head) arteries, so that only those with positive findings will need to have a more invasive catheter study.
• MRA also is used to detect disease in the aorta and in blood vessels supplying the kidneys, lungs and legs.
• Patients with a family history of arterial aneurysm, a ballooning out of a segment of the vessel wall, can be screened by MRA to see if they have a similar disorder that has not produced symptoms.

MRA - Images

MRA - References, Links, and Additional Information

Schedule Your MRA Today! 

• If you are looking for professional radiology services at your imaging site/center, call us at 1-800-626-8315 or contact us for a consultation. 

• If you live in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Glendale, Mid-Wilshire and need to schedule a radiology examination such as a MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound, X ray, or PET scan, contact us to schedule an appointment. 

• If you are in search of other things, we're surprisingly resourceful!  Call us 1-800-626-8315 or contact us via our contact form.

• mr-angiography-mra-
• show_title= link_titles= show_intro= show_section= link_section= show_category= link_category= show_vote= show_author= show_create_date= show_modify_date= show_pdf_icon= show_print_icon= show_email_icon= language= keyref= readmore=
• Magnetic Resonance Angiography, MRA, MR angio, MR angiogram, cerebral MRA
• MRA informational page outlining the benefits and common positive findings. Schedule an MRA in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, or Glendale California (CA).
• robots= author=