Abstract

For the past five years we have been investigating techniques to improve vessel visibility in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Much of this work has focussed on optimization of time of flight (TOF) techniques. In 1988 we developed the multiple overlapping thin slab 3D acquisition technique (MOTSA) and are currently studying optimization of gradient waveforms in an attempt to achieve the highest possible spatial resolution and visualization of the smallest possible vessel detail. The goal, which remains elusive, is to develop a technique for the consistent visualization of small vessels (on the order of 0.3 mm diameter). In parallel with these studies to optimize image acquisition technique, we have recently discovered that some very basic image processing techniques can be used to significantly enhance small vessel visibility. In this proposal we request support (l) to complete a theoretical and experimental study to explain why these techniques work, (2) to evaluate in clinical studies the extent and consistency of improvement in vascular detail obtained using these techniques, (3) to compare the improvement in vascular detail with that obtained using magnetization transfer, and (4) to investigate others forms of post processing techniques which are logical extensions of the presently implemented algorithms.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL053596-03
Application #
2519455
Study Section
Diagnostic Radiology Study Section (RNM)
Project Start
1995-09-01
Project End
2000-01-31
Budget Start
1997-09-01
Budget End
2000-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Utah
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Salt Lake City
State
UT
Country
United States
Zip Code
84112

  Publications

Kholmovski, Eugene G; Parker, Dennis L (2005) Application of phase consistency to improve time efficiency and image quality in dual echo black-blood carotid angiography. Magn Reson Imaging 23:711-22
Samsonov, Alexei A; Kholmovski, Eugene G; Parker, Dennis L et al. (2004) POCSENSE: POCS-based reconstruction for sensitivity encoded magnetic resonance imaging. Magn Reson Med 52:1397-406
Kholmovski, Eugene G; Samsonov, Alexei A; Parker, Dennis L (2002) Motion artifact reduction technique for dual-contrast FSE imaging. Magn Reson Imaging 20:455-62
Kholmovski, Eugene G; Alexander, Andrew L; Parker, Dennis L (2002) Correction of slab boundary artifact using histogram matching. J Magn Reson Imaging 15:610-7
Welker, K M; Tsuruda, J S; Hadley, J R et al. (2001) Radio-frequency coil selection for MR imaging of the brain and skull base. Radiology 221:11-25
Lee, J N; Roberts, J A; Parker, D L et al. (2000) Intensity correction by subtraction for phased-array MRA images. J Magn Reson Imaging 12:501-4