Essentials for Interpreting Intracranial Vessel Wall MRI Results: State of the Art

Radiology. 2021 Sep;300(3):492-505. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2021204096. Epub 2021 Jul 27.

Abstract

Intracranial vessel wall (VW) MRI has become widely available in clinical practice, providing multiple uses for evaluation of neurovascular diseases. The Vessel Wall Imaging Study Group of the American Society of Neuroradiology has recently reported expert consensus recommendations for the clinical implementation of this technique. However, the complexity of the neurovascular system and caveats to the technique may challenge its application in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to review concepts essential for accurate interpretation of intracranial VW MRI results. This knowledge is intended to improve diagnostic confidence and performance in the interpretation of VW MRI scans. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrovascular Circulation*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods*