MR Aortogram

MR Aortogram

Magnetic resonance aortogram is imaging of the aorta using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI can be done with out without contrast enhancement. Gadolinium based contrasts are used for enhancement in case of MRI, whereas iodine based contrasts are used in conventional angiography. MRI can image blood vessels without injection of any contrast and the technique is often called as dyeless angiography. The changes in hydrogen nuclei in response to a magnetic field forms the basis of MR imaging. Since hydrogen nuclei are plentiful in blood which has a high water content, it can be imaged well in MRI.

The image shown above demonstrates the heart, lung and its blood vessels, ascending aorta, arch vessels, descending aorta and its branches. Major visceral branches arise from the descending aorta.

Asc aorta: ascending aorta; Desc aorta: descending aorta