Q: What is FBI?

A: FBI stands for Fresh Blood Imaging. Fresh blood without contrast medium is visualized by MRI.

FBI is a special angiographic technique that eliminates the use of contrast medium. In conventional MRA, it is difficult to obtain clear views of small vessels in the extremities. With the use of FBI, images of the arteries or veins without the administration of contrast provide valuable clinical information.

Example of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the femur.

Conventional MRA
with contrast medium*

FBI arterial image

FBI venous image

* MRA (MR angiography)
= MRI of the blood vessels
The lesion is clearly observed
in the arterial image.

Q: How can we visualize blood vessels without using contrast medium?

A: FBI is a highly advanced technique that is able to directly detect the MR signal in flowing blood.

Blood itself produces an MR signal, but due to being constantly moving, it has been difficult to clearly depict it. FBI can capture moving blood-flow signal very quickly, similar to the way that fast shutter speeds on a picture camera can freeze rapid motion. This captured signal shows white in a 2D cross-sectional image. The left image below is an original FBI image showing enhanced blood vessels. The image on the right is a 3D visualization of blood flow. The 3D FBI image is obtained by superimposing the original 2D images and applying three-dimensional processing.

Base image for FBI

 

FBI image

souCross-sectional
images with
enhanced blood flow
are acquired. The
scanning procedure
is the same as in
conventional MRI exams.
sou
souBy applying 3D
processing, the
entire vascularization
can be obtained. The
vessels can be
observed in detail
from different directions.

Q: What diseases can be effectively examined with FBI?

A: FBI is particularly useful for diagnosing vascular disease of the limbs.

Arteriosclerosis obliterans of
the lower extremities

Arteriosclerosis obliterans
of the lower extremities

FBI of varices in the
Lower Extremities

Left: FBI
Right: X-ray angiography
FBI provides information
comparable to X-ray angiography.
Left: FBI
Right: Multislice CT
FBI provides information
comparable to 16-rowmultislice CT.
The varix is clearly depicted.

Q: What kind of examination is it?

A: Exactly the same as a standard MRI examination. All the patient needs to do is lie on the system couch.

souThere are no concerns about exposure to ionizing radiation.
Examination can be repeated as many times as needed, without safety concerns.
No injection of contrast medium is required.


sou
souMRI examinations are contraindicated for patients with a cardiac pacemaker.
Patients who have ferromagnetic materials inside their body should consult with their physician before undergoing an MRI examination.
Before the examination, the patient must remove all ferromagnetic materials.