title: Contrast-to-noise ratios in maximum intensity projection images.
abstract: We present a statistical analysis of the maximum intensity projection (MIP) algorithm, which is commonly used for MR angiography (MRA). The analysis explains why MIP projection images display as much as a twofold increase in signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios over those of the source image set. This behavior is demonstrated with simulations and in phantom and MRA image sets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Riederer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000792:Angiography; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008961:Models, Structural; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted