A semiautomated method combining 3D CE-MRA and vessel wall MRI showed good correlation with expert contours for lumen and outer-wall area (r=0.96) and degree of stenosis (r=0.97).
Observational (n=22)
Does a semiautomated method combining CE-MRA and vessel wall MRI accurately quantify vessel stenosis and plaque burden compared to expert contours in carotid atherosclerosis?
A semiautomated method fusing MRA and MRI provides reproducible parameters for assessing carotid atherosclerosis severity with minimal user interaction.
Effect estimate: r=0.96 (area), r=0.97 (stenosis)
Background and Purpose— We report the evaluation of a semiautomated method for in vivo assessment of the severity of carotid atherosclerosis with minimal user interaction that combines 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) and vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods— Lumen and outer-wall contours were automatically detected, and stenosis and plaque burden were estimated. The method was tested on 22 subjects (352 postcontrast, T1-weighted cross sections and 3-dimensional CE-MRA). Results— We observed good correlation with expert contours: lumen and outer-wall area ( r =0.96) and the degree of stenosis ( r =0.97). Conclusions— The fusion of MRA and MRI reduces user interaction and improves contour detection, providing reproducible parameters to assess the severity of atherosclerosis.
Adame et al. (2006) conducted an observational in Carotid atherosclerosis (n=22). Semiautomated method combining 3D CE-MRA and vessel wall MRI vs. Expert contours was evaluated on Correlation of lumen and outer-wall area and degree of stenosis with expert contours (r=0.96 (area), r=0.97 (stenosis)). A semiautomated method combining 3D CE-MRA and vessel wall MRI showed good correlation with expert contours for lumen and outer-wall area (r=0.96) and degree of stenosis (r=0.97).