Contrast-enhanced MR angiography: The effects of k-space truncation on luminal representation in a carotid artery phantom model

Using carotid bifurcation phantom models with different degrees of stenoses , we evaluated the accuracy of vessel lumen representation on MR images obt ained from the inverse Fourier transform of different k-space percentages. Our results show that the lower thresholds of truncated k-space sampling ar e dictated by the severity of luminal narrowing. The defined thresholds may help improve efficiency of 3D MR imaging of the carotid arteries while mai ntaining adequate luminal representation.