MR angiography of the neck vessels (supra-aortic trunks)

The supra-aortic trunks are the large arteries that leave the heart and run up through the neck to supply the brain: the carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. MR angiography is an MRI specially set up to show these vessels. It can look for a narrowing (stenosis) caused by cholesterol plaques, a tear in the artery wall (dissection) or another abnormality, without inserting a catheter into the arteries. It is often performed at the same time as a brain MRI, particularly after a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack. An injection of contrast agent (gadolinium) is common, but some sequences can be done without it.