VIRTUAL MR ANGIOSCOPY OF THE PULMONARY-ARTERY TREE

An optimized, contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography sequence is combined with image postprocessing to render interior views of the pulmonary a rteries. Virtual angioscopy was successfully demonstrated on both a he althy volunteer and a pulmonary embolism patient. By targeting selecte d pulmonary artery branches, virtual angioscopy has the potential to b ecome a powerful adjunct to the use of reformatted sections and maximu m intensity projections in the assessment of pulmonary embolism.