3D time of flight MR angiography (3D-TOF-MRA) of the circle of Willis is used as an alternative to invasive radiologic procedures and other MRI methods which require the application of contrast agents (due to reports about the adverse effects of gadolinium e.g., nephrogenic systemic fibrosis).
This series of MRI pictures represents a 3D volume at the base of the brain. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) is used to display this dataset on a 2D device such as a computer monitor. Several projections from coronal to sagittal are combined into a slider to get a good perception of 3D structure and improve the depth impression.
This type of brainMRA offers multiple projections, volumetric depiction of vessels, and cross-sectional images for the evaluation of brain artery stenosis, aneurysm and other pathologies similar to digital subtraction angiography images.
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