Time Of Flight(TOF) MRA
Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography (TOF MRA) is a specialized imaging technique within the realm of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that focuses on visualizing blood vessels and blood flow dynamics without the need for contrast agents. This non-invasive method provides detailed images of vascular structures, aiding in the diagnosis and evaluation of various vascular conditions.
TOF MRA operates based on the principle of exploiting the inflow of unsaturated blood into a specific area of interest. The technique uses radiofrequency (RF) pulses and magnetic gradients to create a distinct contrast between the flowing blood and the surrounding tissues. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how TOF MRA works:
RF Pulse and Excitation: The process begins with the application of an RF pulse to the area being imaged. This pulse flips the protons in the blood (specifically hydrogen nuclei) out of their natural alignment with the main magnetic field.
Gradient Echo Sequence: After the RF pulse is turned off, a gradient echo sequence is used to measure the returning signals from the protons. This sequence involves applying magnetic gradients that vary across the imaging area. The returning signals are then processed to create an image.
Blood Flow Enhancement: As fresh, unsaturated blood flows into the imaging area during each repetition time (TR) of the pulse sequence, it generates a stronger signal compared to the surrounding tissues. This phenomenon is due to the consistent supply of protons with unsaturated spins in the flowing blood.
Background Suppression: Techniques are employed to minimize signals coming from stationary tissues, thus enhancing the contrast between the blood vessels and the background. This makes the blood vessels more prominent and easier to differentiate from the surrounding tissues.
TOF MRI image appearance
The easiest way to identify TOF images is to look for blood vessels in the body, such as the Circle of Willis and carotids. Blood vessels typically appear bright in TOF images.
- Bright Vessels: In TOF MRA images, flowing blood appears very bright due to the inflow effect. Arteries that are perpendicular to the imaging plane show up as hyperintense (bright) signals because they receive fresh, unsaturated blood during each repetition time of the pulse sequence.
- Dark Background: Background tissues, including surrounding anatomy tend to appear darker compared to the bright vessels. This is because the inflowing blood’s signal is much stronger than the signals from stationary tissues.
- Background Suppression: Techniques like magnetization transfer (MT) preparation or inversion recovery can be employed to suppress the signal from stationary tissues, further enhancing the visibility of flowing blood and vessels.
Tissues and their TOF appearance
Muscles: – darker than fat signal
Fat – dark gray
White matter – dark gray
Bone marrow: – dark
Moving blood- bright
Gray matter – dark gray
Fluids – dark
Bone – dark
Air – dark
Use
- Very useful for circle of willis imaging
- Very useful for carotid arteries imaging
- Very useful for dural venous sinus imaging
- Can be useful for arterial imaging in the legs
AXIAL TOF SEQUENCE USED IN MRA BRAIN IMAGING
AXIAL TOF SEQUENCE USED IN MRA BRAIN IMAGING
SAGITTAL TOF SEQUENCE USED IN MRV BRAIN IMAGING
AXIAL TOF SEQUENCE USED IN MRV PELVIS IMAGING
