Construction of a contrast enhancement map of intracranial vessel wall MRI with 3D volume rendering

Contrast enhancement (CE), by the administration of gadolinium, has been shown as an important intracranial vessel wall MRI biomarker. In this study we have developed a CE map with 3D volume rendering, extended from a previously developed intracranial atherosclerosis analysis pipeline MOCHA. 3D CE map can help clinicians easily identify plaque contrast enhancement. It demonstrates CE’s spatial location relative to the vessel and provides reliable quantification of its intensity. It is a promising tool for future longitudinal studies to focus on the association between 3D CE map features and disease development.