Enhancement of blood vessel visualization in 3D time-of-flight MR angiography utilizing surface array coil.
Array coils play an important role in improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and achieving parallel imaging; however, one disadvantage of array coils is the nonuniformity of their sensitivity. We propose a simple algorithm to enhance blood vessel visualization in 3D-TOF-MRA (three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography) utilizing this surface array sensitivity, and we apply it to the MRA data of normal volunteers. We have verified that visualization of peripheral vessels has been remarkably improved.
Machida
Yoshio
Y
MRI Systems Development Department, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, 1385 Shimoishigami, Otawara, Tochigi 324-8550, Japan. yoshio.machida@toshiba.co.jp
Uchizono
Shinichi
S
Ichinose
Nobuyasu
N
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014159:Transducers