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)
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. (Fri,) conducted a 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).