In contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA),vascular signal is produced by the acquisition of a T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan while the presence of a contrast agent induces a low T1 in blood. In this thesis,CE-MRA of the aortoiliac arteries was evaluated.Different contrast agents and techniques for synchronisation of the scan with the contrast bolus passage were assessed. In 30 patients with clinically suspected iliac artery stenoses,contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography was compared with duplex ultrasound scanning and digital subtraction x-ray angiography (DSA),with intraarterial pressure measurements as reference method. No statistically significant differences in sensitivity or specificity were observed between the techniques regarding the detection of hemodynamically significant iliac stenoses. The use of multiplanar reformats and source images in the MRA examinations was of value for the differentiation between high-grade stenoses and occlusions. With DSA as reference method, MRA had significantly higher sensitivity and specificity than duplex for the detection of ≥50% stenoses. In fourteen patients examined with iliac artery MRA, differences in contrast arrival time of up to 7 s was observed between the aorta and the common femoral artery.A dual-station timing technique adjusting for this difference was found feasible. Compared with a fluoroscopically triggered technique (n=13),which is used in clinical rotine, the dual-station technique was more reliable for the visualisation of distal vessels. In a clinical phase II study comparing different doses of t he contrast agent gadobenate dimeglumine for the enhancement of iliac artery MRA, a significant improvement in subjective diagnostic quality compared with time-of-flight MRA was found at all doses from 0.025 mmol/kg.An increasing trend with dose was observed up to a dose level of 0.05-0.1 mmol/kg. In a phase I clinical study on the intravascular, iron oxide contrast agent NC100150 Injection, a positive dose response was observed for abdominal vascular enhancement, with the highest contrast-to-noise ratio observed at 4.0 mg Fe/kg bw at 1.5 T and at 2.5-4 mg Fe/kg bw at 0.5 T.At 1.5 T higher R2*values were calculated for the aorta than for the IVC.

The application of preoperative magnetic resonance angiography in the treatment of critical leg ischemia in patients with diabetes ABBREVIATIONS ABPI -ankle brachial pressure index AI - ankle index ARO - arterial runoff CLI - critical limb ischemia DM – diabetes mellitus DSA- digital subtraction angiography DU - duplex ultrasonography GSV- great saphenous vein HKUM - Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine IHD - ischemic heart disease IS - ischaemic stroke MRA - magnetic resonance angiography NAV – not reversed autovein PAOD - peripheral artery disease PATE - pulmonary artery tromboembolia SD - standard deviation χ2 - Chi-square 1. INTRODUCTION Complications of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus rank among the greatest “scourges” of the aging population. In the majority of developed countries, mortality from complications of atherosclerosis occupies the 1st – the 2nd places, and mortality from complications of DM – the 3rd – the 4th places [Šulcaitė R., 2002]. One of the main risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis is diabetes mellitus (DM)[Eskelinen, E., 2003; Kozek, E., 2003; Yokoyama, H., 2003]. Clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis are ischemic heart disease (IHD), cerebral ischemia (CI), and obliterative atherosclerosis, or peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD). At present, diabetologists used the term diabetes lipidus, thus combining these two diseases into one. Up to 70% of amputations of non-traumatic origin... [to full text]

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides methods to study the microstructure and functional properties of tissues that can be utilized to acquire information about the degenerative processes in the spine. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted MRI and quantification of delayed gadolinium enhancement in assessing intervertebral disc degeneration. An experimental degeneration model was used to evaluate the sensitivity of diffusion-weighted MRI and T2 relaxation time measurements in detecting early degenerative changes in the disc. In six pigs, an annular disc lesion was induced surgically, after which the discs were repeatedly MR imaged for up to eight weeks. T2 relaxation time of the lesioned discs decreased postoperatively, whereas apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) initially increased, but at eight weeks decreased when compared to the control discs. The value of ADC in degeneration of human discs was evaluated by imaging 228 voluntary middle-aged men. ADC values of the three lowest lumbar intervertebral discs were measured and disc degeneration was visually graded. The reduction in ADC between visually normal and moderately degenerated discs was 4%, whereas severely degenerated discs showed 5% higher ADC values than normal discs. T2 signal intensity of the discs was significantly correlated with the ADC values. Because of a considerable overlap between ADC values of normal and degenerated discs the clinical relevance of the ADC measurements of lumbar intervertebral discs remains questionable. A method to quantify delayed enhancement of the nucleus pulposus after intravenous gadolinium contrast agent injection was developed to evaluate the diffusion of small solutes into the disc. Twenty male volunteers were imaged in order to correlate the measured change in the T1 relaxation rate with visually evaluated degenerative changes. The percentual change of T1 relaxation rate for individual discs was up to 126%, and a positive trend was observed between the delayed enhancement and the disc degeneration grades. In order to study the factors that determine the intensity of delayed enhancement, T1 relaxation rate measurements were further correlated with lumbar artery stenosis, bone marrow changes adjacent to endplates, endplate defects, and ADC of the disc. Lumbar artery stenosis and ADC values of the discs were not correlated with enhancement, while disc space narrowing and the presence of degenerative endplate changes had a strong correlation, suggesting an important role for the endplate in maintaining the integrity of the disc.

Les anévrismes intracrâniens présentent des risques importants en raison de leur taux de rupture élevé et des conséquences qui peuvent être fatales comme lors d’hémorragies méningées. Afin d’effectuer une recherche hémodynamique sur l’anévrisme intracrânien in vitro, un fantôme est indispensable. Jusqu’à présent, des fantômes rigides ou simplifiés sont utilisés dans littérature, peu d’entre eux sont suffisamment fidèle à la réalité. Le travail de cette thèse se concentre sur la méthodologie de fabrication des fantômes patient-spécifiques d’anévrismes intracrâniens ainsi que leur mise en œuvre pour différentes utilisations. Ces fantômes possèdent la forme anatomique de l’artère du patient et une paroi élastique. Ils sont fabriqués en appliquant une technique originale de prototypage rapide. Les fantômes sont vérifiés selon plusieurs aspects. Pour effectuer des recherches hémodynamiques sur les fantômes, un banc d’essai compatible avec différentes modalités d’imagerie a été conçu. L’angiographie par résonance magnétique 2D par contraste de phase a été utilisée pour étudier l’hémodynamique des fantômes. Le comportement dynamique de paroi, les trajectoires 3D du flux et son champ de vélocité sont analysés. L’application potentielle dans domaine clinique du fantôme patient-spécifique a été aussi testée dans cette thèse, des simulations d’intervention sur des anévrismes intracrâniens ont été effectuées sur le banc d’essai et les fantômes, les résultats de différentes méthodes ont été analysés et comparés. / Intracranial aneurysms are a hazard to human health because of their high rupture rate and fatal subsequence, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. In order to carry out a hemodynamic research in vitro on the intracranial aneurysm, a phantom is indispensable. Until now, rigid or simplified phantoms are mainly used in the literature, few among them possess sufficient properties compared with reality. The work of this thesis focuses on the methodology of manufacturing patient-specific phantoms of intracranial aneurysms as well as their implementation for different uses. The phantoms have an anatomical shape of patient’s artery and an elastic wall. They are manufactured by applying an original rapid prototyping technique. The phantoms are examined and verified in different ways. In order to perform a hemodynamic research of the phantoms, a testing platform compatible with different imaging modalities has been designed and established. 2D phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography was applied in the hemodynamic study of the phantoms. The dynamic behavior of the artery wall, the 3D path-line of flow and the velocity field of flow were analyzed. The potential application in the clinical domain of the patient-specific phantoms was also tested in this thesis, simulations of intervention on intracranial aneurysms were carried out with the testing platform and the phantoms, the results of different treatment strategies were analyzed and compared.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of diminished arterial blood flow in painful disc degeneration. Diffusion in intervertebral discs of 37 asymptomatic adults measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their lumbar arterial blood supply measured by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) correlated significantly. End plate degeneration in intervertebral discs evaluated with MRI was analysed with reference to disc distress evaluated with computed tomography (CT) discography, and a significant correlation between end plate degeneration and disc degeneration was found among 36 low back pain patients. Intradiscal pain caused by discography did not correlate with end plate degeneration. There were significantly more atheromatous plaques in the abdominal aorta among 29 chronic low back pain patients compared to 52 asymptomatic people, especially in the age group under 50 years. Occlusion of lumbar arteries in MRA correlated significantly with disc degeneration in MRI among 113 sciatica patients. Furthermore, the disc degeneration and the occlusion of lumbar arteries were severe among 41 sciatica patients and 41 asymptomatic people. During a three-year follow-up, the occlusion of lumbar arteries in MRA correlated significantly with physical and mental ability measured by a self-efficacy questionnaire at every assessment point (1,2,3 years). Furthermore, the intensity of back pain at 1 year and leg pain at 2 years correlated with the occlusion of lumbar arteries. Re-stenosis of lumbar arteries within 3 years correlated significantly with medical consultations for low back pain, prolonged low back pain and prolonged sciatica during one year before the baseline assessment.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as características demográficas, clínicas, radiológicas e o prognóstico da doença oclusiva da artéria basilar (DOAB), em uma população multiétnica. Foram estudados 40 indivíduos com infartos no território da artéria basilar (AB) confirmados por ressonância magnética, que sobreviveram após 30 dias à fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI). Todos os doentes apresentavam estenose ³ 50% ou oclusão da AB, documentada por angiografia por ressonância ou angiografia digital. Foram registrados: idade, sexo, grupo étnico, fatores de risco para doença vascular, quadro clínico na instalação do AVCI, local do infarto, segmento arterial acometido, grau de estenose e presença de circulação colateral. A escala modificada de Rankin (EMR) em 30 dias e após seis meses do evento isquêmico foi avaliada, assim como a taxa de recorrência de eventos vasculares isquêmicos. Associações entre dados demográficos, aspectos clínicos, radiológicos e prognóstico foram analisadas pelo teste da razão de verossimilhança ou pelo teste exato de Fisher. A comparação entre a pontuação na EMR em 30 dias e seis meses foi realizada pelo teste de Wilcoxon. Sessenta por cento dos pacientes eram homens e 33%, afro-brasileiros. A média (± desvio-padrão) de idade foi 55,8 ± 12,9 anos. A maioria (90%) dos pacientes apresentou múltiplos fatores de risco para doença vascular. Ataques isquêmicos transitórios (AIT) precederam os AVCIs em 48% dos casos. Antecedente de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) esteve presente em 80% dos doentes. O sintoma mais comum foi vertigem/desequilíbrio. A maioria dos infartos localizou-se na ponte (85%) e o terço médio da AB foi o mais freqüentemente afetado (33%). Oclusão arterial esteve presente em 58% dos casos. Lesões mais graves foram observadas em caso de acometimento do terço médio da AB (p=0,001). Aterosclerose de grandes artérias foi a etiologia mais comum do AVCI (88%), sendo mais freqüente nos pacientes acima de 45 anos (p<0,001). Somente um paciente foi tratado com trombólise intra-arterial e a maioria foi tratada com anticoagulação na fase aguda. A pontuação na EMR melhorou significativamente após seis meses (p<0,001). Podemos concluir que obtivemos alguns resultados diferentes de outras séries de países desenvolvidos, como maior proporção de afrodescendentes e oclusão da AB em pouco mais da metade dos casos. Taxas de AIT precedendo o AVCI, freqüência alta de aterosclerose como etiologia e bom prognóstico funcional foram semelhantes a descrições da literatura. Estes resultados representam um avanço no conhecimento da DOAB em nosso meio / The aim of this study was to describe demographical, clinical, radiological findings and outcome in stroke survivors with basilar artery occlusive disease (BAOC). We studied 40 patients with infarcts in the basilar artery (BA) territory confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who survived for at least 30 days after acute stroke. All patients had ³ 50% BA stenosis or occlusion, documented by magnetic resonance or digital subtraction angiography. The following characteristics were registered: age, sex, ethnical group, vascular risk factors, symptoms and signs, infarct location, site and degree of BA stenosis, and presence of collateral circulation. Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores at 30 days and six months after the ischemic event were evaluated, as well as transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke recurrence rates. Associations between demographical, clinical, radiological features and outcome were analyzed with Likelihoodratio and Fisher´s exact tests. The comparison between MRS scores at 30 days and six months was made with the Wilcoxon test. Sixty percent of the patients were male and 33% were Afro-Brazilian. Mean age was 55.8 ± 12.9 years. Most of the subjects (90%) had multiple vascular risk factors. TIAs preceded strokes in 48% of the patients. Eighty per cent had history of arterial hypertension. The most common neurological symptom was vertigo/dizziness. Most of the infarcts were located in the pons (85%) and the BA middle third was the most frequently affected segment (33%). BA occlusion occurred in 58% of the patients. More severe lesions were present in patients with occlusive disease in the middle third of the BA (p=0.001). Large-artery atherosclerosis was the most common stroke etiology (88%) and was more frequent in patients older than 45 years (p<0.001). Only one patient was treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis and most of the others received anticoagulation. MRS scores improved significantly at six months (p<0.001). In conclusion, we observed different results compared with other series, such as: greater proportion of afrodescendents, higher frequency of atherosclerosis and BA occlusion. Rates of preceding TIAs and good outcome at six months were similar to previously published data. These results represent a step forward towards understanding BAOC in a large Brazilian urban center

<p>Mice have become the preferred model system for studying brain function and disease. With the powerful genetic tools available, mouse models can be created to study the underlying molecular basis of neurobiology in vivo. Just as magnetic resonance imaging is the dominant tool for evaluating the human brain, high-resolution MRI--magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM)--is a useful tool for studying the brain of mouse models. However, the need for high spatial resolution limits the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the MRM images. To address this problem, T1-shortening contrast agents can be used, which not only improve the tissue contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) but also increase SNR by allowing the MR signal to recover faster between pulses. By "actively staining" the tissue with these T1-shortening agents, MRM can be performed with higher resolution, greater contrast, and shorter scan times. In this work, active staining with T1-shortening agents was used to enhance three types of in vivo mouse brain MRM: (1) angiographic imaging of the neurovasculature, (2) anatomical imaging of the brain parenchyma, and (3) functional imaging of neuronal activity.</p> <p></p> <p>For magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the mouse, typical contrast agents are not useful because they are quickly cleared by the body and/or extravasate from the blood pool before a high-resolution image can be acquired. To address these limitations, a novel contrast agent--SC-Gd liposomes--has been developed, which is cleared slowly by the body and is too large to extravasate from the blood pool. In this work, MRA protocols were optimized for both the standard technique (time-of-flight contrast) and SC-Gd liposomes. When the blood was stained with SC-Gd liposomes, small vessel CNR improved to 250% that of time-of-flight. The SC-Gd liposomes could also be used to reduce scan time by 75% while still improving CNR by 32%.</p> <p>For MRM of the mouse brain parenchyma, active staining has been used to make dramatic improvements in the imaging of ex vivo specimens. However for in vivo imaging, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents T1-shortening agents from entering the brain parenchyma. In this work, a noninvasive technique was developed for BBB opening with microbubbles and ultrasound (BOMUS). Using BOMUS, the parenchyma of the brain could be actively stained with the T1-shortening contrast agent, Gd-DTPA, and MRM images could be acquired in vivo with unprecedented resolution (52 x 52 x 100 micrometers3) in less than 1 hour.</p> <p>Functional MRI (fMRI), which uses blood oxygen level dependant (BOLD) contrast to detect neuronal activity, has been a revolutionary technique for studying brain function in humans. However, in mice, BOLD contrast has been difficult to detect and thus routine fMRI in mice has not been feasible. An alternative approach for detecting neuronal activity uses manganese (Mn2+). Mn2+ is a T1-shortening agent that can enter depolarized neurons via calcium channels. Thus, Mn2+ is a functional contrast agent with affinity for active neurons. In this work, Mn2+ (administered with the BOMUS technique) was used to map the neuronal response to stimulation of the vibrissae. The resultant activation map showed close agreement to published maps of the posterior-lateral and anterior-medial barrel field of the primary sensory cortex.</p> <p>The use of T1-shortening agents to actively stain tissues of interest--blood, brain parenchyma, or active neurons--will facilitate the use of MRM for studying mouse models of brain development, function, and disease.</p> / Dissertation

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as características demográficas, clínicas, radiológicas e o prognóstico da doença oclusiva da artéria basilar (DOAB), em uma população multiétnica. Foram estudados 40 indivíduos com infartos no território da artéria basilar (AB) confirmados por ressonância magnética, que sobreviveram após 30 dias à fase aguda do acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCI). Todos os doentes apresentavam estenose ³ 50% ou oclusão da AB, documentada por angiografia por ressonância ou angiografia digital. Foram registrados: idade, sexo, grupo étnico, fatores de risco para doença vascular, quadro clínico na instalação do AVCI, local do infarto, segmento arterial acometido, grau de estenose e presença de circulação colateral. A escala modificada de Rankin (EMR) em 30 dias e após seis meses do evento isquêmico foi avaliada, assim como a taxa de recorrência de eventos vasculares isquêmicos. Associações entre dados demográficos, aspectos clínicos, radiológicos e prognóstico foram analisadas pelo teste da razão de verossimilhança ou pelo teste exato de Fisher. A comparação entre a pontuação na EMR em 30 dias e seis meses foi realizada pelo teste de Wilcoxon. Sessenta por cento dos pacientes eram homens e 33%, afro-brasileiros. A média (± desvio-padrão) de idade foi 55,8 ± 12,9 anos. A maioria (90%) dos pacientes apresentou múltiplos fatores de risco para doença vascular. Ataques isquêmicos transitórios (AIT) precederam os AVCIs em 48% dos casos. Antecedente de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) esteve presente em 80% dos doentes. O sintoma mais comum foi vertigem/desequilíbrio. A maioria dos infartos localizou-se na ponte (85%) e o terço médio da AB foi o mais freqüentemente afetado (33%). Oclusão arterial esteve presente em 58% dos casos. Lesões mais graves foram observadas em caso de acometimento do terço médio da AB (p=0,001). Aterosclerose de grandes artérias foi a etiologia mais comum do AVCI (88%), sendo mais freqüente nos pacientes acima de 45 anos (p<0,001). Somente um paciente foi tratado com trombólise intra-arterial e a maioria foi tratada com anticoagulação na fase aguda. A pontuação na EMR melhorou significativamente após seis meses (p<0,001). Podemos concluir que obtivemos alguns resultados diferentes de outras séries de países desenvolvidos, como maior proporção de afrodescendentes e oclusão da AB em pouco mais da metade dos casos. Taxas de AIT precedendo o AVCI, freqüência alta de aterosclerose como etiologia e bom prognóstico funcional foram semelhantes a descrições da literatura. Estes resultados representam um avanço no conhecimento da DOAB em nosso meio / The aim of this study was to describe demographical, clinical, radiological findings and outcome in stroke survivors with basilar artery occlusive disease (BAOC). We studied 40 patients with infarcts in the basilar artery (BA) territory confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), who survived for at least 30 days after acute stroke. All patients had ³ 50% BA stenosis or occlusion, documented by magnetic resonance or digital subtraction angiography. The following characteristics were registered: age, sex, ethnical group, vascular risk factors, symptoms and signs, infarct location, site and degree of BA stenosis, and presence of collateral circulation. Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores at 30 days and six months after the ischemic event were evaluated, as well as transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke recurrence rates. Associations between demographical, clinical, radiological features and outcome were analyzed with Likelihoodratio and Fisher´s exact tests. The comparison between MRS scores at 30 days and six months was made with the Wilcoxon test. Sixty percent of the patients were male and 33% were Afro-Brazilian. Mean age was 55.8 ± 12.9 years. Most of the subjects (90%) had multiple vascular risk factors. TIAs preceded strokes in 48% of the patients. Eighty per cent had history of arterial hypertension. The most common neurological symptom was vertigo/dizziness. Most of the infarcts were located in the pons (85%) and the BA middle third was the most frequently affected segment (33%). BA occlusion occurred in 58% of the patients. More severe lesions were present in patients with occlusive disease in the middle third of the BA (p=0.001). Large-artery atherosclerosis was the most common stroke etiology (88%) and was more frequent in patients older than 45 years (p<0.001). Only one patient was treated with intra-arterial thrombolysis and most of the others received anticoagulation. MRS scores improved significantly at six months (p<0.001). In conclusion, we observed different results compared with other series, such as: greater proportion of afrodescendents, higher frequency of atherosclerosis and BA occlusion. Rates of preceding TIAs and good outcome at six months were similar to previously published data. These results represent a step forward towards understanding BAOC in a large Brazilian urban center

INTRODUÇÃO: Os métodos diagnósticos não invasivos, como a ultra-sonografia com Doppler colorido (USDC) e a angiografia por ressonância magnética contrastada (ARMC) têm sido cada vez mais utilizados para o estudo da estenose das artérias carótidas internas (ACI). Nos testes comparativos a arteriografia por subtração digital bidimensional (ASD 2D) tem sido o padrão de referência, porém é um método caro, invasivo e com diversas complicações descritas, além disso, com a realização da arteriografia por subtração digital rotacional (ASD 3D), começou a se interrogar se a ASD 2D não estaria subestimando as estenoses. OBJETIVOS: Comparar as medidas de estenose obtidas pelos métodos não invasivos com a ASD 2D e 3D, utilizando o critério do North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET), além de comparar os dois métodos invasivos entre si, tentando identificar se os métodos não invasivos podem substituir a ASD 2D na rotina e se a ASD 2D tende subestimar a estenose em relação a ASD 3D. MÉTODOS: 92 pacientes que haviam sido indicados de maneira prospectiva e consecutiva para realização da ASD 2D, foram selecionados para o estudo, sendo encaminhados para realizar também a ASD 3D, a ARMC e o USDC. Os resultados das medidas da maior estenose, realizadas através das imagens fonte em estação de trabalho, por dois observadores em consenso, obtidas em cada um dos testes (USDC, ARMC) e dos resultados concordantes dos dois, foi comparada com os exames de referência (ASD 2D e ASD 3D). Foi feita também uma avaliação dos resultados dos exames invasivos entre si. RESULTADOS: 98 ACI foram incluídas no trabalho. Os resultados obtidos pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse, que variaram de 0,91 a 0,96, demonstraram respectivamente uma excelente correlação entre as modalidades diagnósticas e que há uma forte concordância entre os seus resultados (ambos com p <0,001). Os valores de sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo e acurácia das diversas comparações variaram respectivamente de 76 a 100%, de 92 a 100%, 79 a 100%, 90 a 100% e 90 a 100%. DISCUSSÃO: As comparações com maior sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia foram respectivamente a (USDC+ARMC) x ASD 3D com 100%, 100% e 100%; ARMC x ASD 3D com 100%, 96% e 97% e ASD 2D x ASD 3D, com 89%, 94% e 93%. A ASD 2D categorizou as estenoses em 11 casos (11,3%) uma classe abaixo das obtidas na ASD 3D, além de classificar 4 estenoses a menos que a ASD 3D na classe de 70-94%. CONCLUSÕES: Os métodos não invasivos principalmente se avaliados em conjunto podem substituir a ASD 2D na avaliação da estenose da ACI. A ASD 2D tendeu a subestimar levemente as estenoses quando comparada com a ASD 3D / INTRODUCTION: Noninvasive techniques such as Doppler ultrasound (DUS) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA) are each day more used in the evaluation of the internal carotid arteries (ICA). On comparison studies 2D digital subtraction angiography (2D DSA) has been considerate as the reference standard, however its an expensive and invasive method, with well known risks, besides the use of 3D digital subtraction angiography (3D DSA) showed that 2D DSA can potentially result in an underestimation of the stenosis. OBJECTIVES: Compare stenosis measurements of noninvasive methods with 2D and 3D DSA, using the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria, compare the two noninvasive methods with each other, trying to identify if they can substitute 2D DSA on the daily basis and if that 2D DSA tends to underestimate the stenosis compared with 3D DSA. METHODS: 92 patients that were prospective and consecutive scheduled for 2D DSA were selected to participate in the study which included perform also a 3D DSA, CEMRA and DUS. The measurements of the greatest stenosis, made with the raw images in a workstation, by two observers in consensus, obtained with each modality (DUS, CEMRA) and the concordant results of both, were compared with the reference standard (2D and 3D DSA). Also a comparison between the invasive methods was made. RESULTS: 98 ICA were included. The results obtained by Pearson correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient, that range from 0.91 and 0.96, showed respectively a excellent correlation between the diagnostic modalities and that there are a great agreement between them (both with p<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy values of the different comparisons range respectively from 76% to 100%, 92 to 100%, 79 to 100%, 90 to 100% and 90 to 100%. DISCUSSION: Comparisons with higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were respectively (DUS+CEMRA) x 3D DSA, with 100%, 100% and 100%; CEMRA x 3D DSA with 100%, 96% and 97% and 2D DSA x 3D DSA with 89%, 94% and 93%. 2D DSA categorized 11 cases (11,3%) of ICA stenosis as one category lower than 3D DSA, including 4 less cases of the 70-94% class. CONCLUSIONS: The noninvasive methods, especially if evaluated together, can replace 2D DSA in the study of cervical carotid steno-occlusive disease. 2D DSA tends to lightly underestimate carotid stenosis when compared to 3D DSA