PURPOSE: The sharpness of the vessel contour in 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography is defined by particular measurements of the signal intensity. To evaluate the facilities of an ECG-triggered data acquisition to optimize the MRA image quality of the thoracic aorta. METHOD: In phantom studies the sharpness of the vessel contour was defined as the distance of the extraluminal signal-minimum to the extraluminal maximum. Afterwards 30 examinations of the thoracic aorta with and without the use of an ECG-triggering were evaluated with regard to the sharpness of the vessel outline. RESULTS: The presented definition of the signal intensity is suitable for objective measurements of the vessel outline. At the level of the ascending aorta, ECG-triggered data acquisition increased the image quality significantly. CONCLUSIONS: An easy, practicable definition enables measurements of the sharpness of the vessel outline. ECG-triggered data acquisition is recommended for optimal visualization, especially of the ascending aorta.
PURPOSE: The sharpness of the vessel contour in 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography is defined by particular measurements of the signal intensity. To evaluate the facilities of an ECG-triggered data acquisition to optimize the MRA image quality of the thoracic aorta. METHOD: In phantom studies the sharpness of the vessel contour was defined as the distance of the extraluminal signal-minimum to the extraluminal maximum. Afterwards 30 examinations of the thoracic aorta with and without the use of an ECG-triggering were evaluated with regard to the sharpness of the vessel outline. RESULTS: The presented definition of the signal intensity is suitable for objective measurements of the vessel outline. At the level of the ascending aorta, ECG-triggered data acquisition increased the image quality significantly. CONCLUSIONS: An easy, practicable definition enables measurements of the sharpness of the vessel outline. ECG-triggered data acquisition is recommended for optimal visualization, especially of the ascending aorta.
Authors: Judith Enders; Elke Zimmermann; Matthias Rief; Peter Martus; Randolf Klingebiel; Patrick Asbach; Christian Klessen; Gerd Diederichs; Thomas Bengner; Ulf Teichgräber; Bernd Hamm; Marc Dewey Journal: BMC Med Imaging Date: 2011-02-10 Impact factor: 1.930
Authors: Judith Enders; Matthias Rief; Elke Zimmermann; Patrick Asbach; Gerd Diederichs; Christoph Wetz; Eberhard Siebert; Moritz Wagner; Bernd Hamm; Marc Dewey Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-12-31 Impact factor: 3.240