A method for fully automated quantitative analysis of arterial flow using flow-sensitized MR images.
While the recent developments in the velocity-sensitive MR imaging offer great potential for non-invasive assessment of blood flow in major blood vessels, the clinical applications of this technique have been hampered by tedious, human-assisted data processing techniques. In this paper, we describe a robust system for automated extraction of quantitative as well as qualitative flow information from velocity-sensitive, phase contrast MR images. The algorithm accomplishes reliable segmentation of blood vessels using multiresolution analysis based on wavelet transform, and employs a multivariate scoring criterion to minimize the impact of imaging artifacts such as partial volume averaging and flow turbulence, which normally cause incomplete or inaccurate detection of vascular boundaries.
Chwialkowski
M P
MP
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington 76019, USA.
Ibrahim
Y M
YM
Li
H F
HF
Peshock
R M
RM
D000465:Algorithms; D001011:Aorta / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D016477:Artifacts; D001775:Blood Circulation; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001810:Blood Volume; D003287:Contrast Media; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016011:Normal Distribution; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D003287:Contrast Media