Objective: Using three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(3D-DCE MRA) to visualize the artery of Adamkiewicz(AKA)

and to investigate the optimized scanning parameters

scan delay time and image post-processing methods.Methods: 17 patients with lesions of the spinal cord or vertebrae underwent contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the thoracoabdominal aorta.Test bolus was used to predict the scan delay time

3D-DCE MRA technique and various image post-processing methods were applied to visualize the artery of AKA.Results: The scanning parameters were as follows: TR/TE 5.3/1.4

flip angle 35°

slice thickness was 1.4 mm with reconstruction interval of 0.7 mm.The K-space was filled by using an elliptic-centric order.FOV 43cm×22cm.Scanning coverage was from the level of T5 to L4.Multiplannar projection reconstruction(MPR) and maximum intensity projection(MIP) were advantageous in depicting AKA.Conclusion: Using the optimized scanning and reconstruction techniques

3D-DCE MRA is able to depict AKA clearly.As a noninvasive imaging technique

optimized 3D-DCE MRA should therefore be the method of choice for the depiction of AKA.