Diagnostic Guideline with MRI·MRA (Magnetic Resonance Imaging·Angiography)




1.      When magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) fulfill all the following requirements which are included in the diagnostic guideline using conventional catheter cerebral angiography, catheter angiography is not necessarily required.

1)      MRA shows the steno-occlusive changes at the terminal portion of the intracranial internal carotid artery and proximal portions of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries.

2)      MRA shows abnormal vascular network at the base of the brain.

Note:    2') when MRI shows at least two flow voids on one side in the basal ganglia, they can be regarded as abnormal network.

3)      Both 1) and 2) are observed bilaterally.


2.      Imaging methods

1)      MR scanner is operated at 1.0 tesla or above.
2)      Sequences of MRA are not specified.


3.      Adults moyamoya disease is occasionally similar to the vascular disease with other etiologies. Thus, diagnosis solely with MRI and MRA should be reserved for pediatric moyamoya disease.