J. Rodenwaldt et al., Definition of the vessel outline for contrast-enhanced MR angiography and evaluation of ECG-triggered visualization of the thoracic aorta., ROFO-F RONT, 169(6), 1998, pp. 616-621
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging
Journal title
ROFO-FORTSCHRITTE AUF DEM GEBIET DER RONTGENSTRAHLEN UND DER BILDGEBENDEN VERFAHREN
Purpose: The sharpness of the vessel contour in 3D contrast-enhanced MR ang
iography is defined by particular measurements of the signal intensity. To
evaluate the facilities of an EGG-triggered data acquisition to optimize th
e MRA image quality of the thoracic aorta. Method: In phantom studies the s
harpness of the vessel contour was defined as the distance of the extralumi
nal signal-minimum to the extraluminal maximum. Afterwards 30 examinations
of the thoracic aorta with and without the use of an EGG-triggering were ev
aluated with regard to the sharpness of the vessel outline. Results: The pr
esented definition of the signal intensity is suitable for objective measur
ements of the vessel outline. At the level of the ascending aorta, EGG-trig
gered data acquisition increased the image quality significantly. Conclusio
ns: An easy, practicable definition enables measurements of the sharpness o
f the vessel outline. EGG-triggered data acquisition is recommended for opt
imal visualization, especially of the ascending aorta.