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 		Vascular Case Studies

Vascular Malformation

PRE MRA


This 32 year old patient presented with fever and exhibited a painful, enlarging mass in left buttock region (arrows) that had been problematic for 6 months. A biopsy of the area resulted in massive blood loss and was not diagnostic. An MR angiographic analysis was requested.

MRA animated


The patient was placed in a synergy body wrap coil centered on the buttock region. MRA (acquisition parameters: 3D-FFE – T1 enhancement, FOV = 440, matrix = 400 x 200, 90 - 2 mm slices (overcontiguous), TR/TE/flip = 5/1.4/40,SENSE factor 1.7 x 1.7) was performed and the high SENSE factor (2.9) permitted high spatial resolution in a relatively short acquisition time (23s). To study the filling of the malformation angiograms were obtained during first pass of the contrast agent and then again 30s, 90s and 180s later.

MRA collage


The temporal changes in enhancement of this malformation can be appreciated and led the diagnosis of dilated gluteal arteries with a large pseudoaneurysm, probably due to rupture of one of the abnormal arteries feeding the malformation (click on image for enlargement).

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Last update October 8, 2003