Key result
Enabling background correction and manual contour correction in MRI flow software altered the assessed severity of aortic insufficiency in clinical evaluation.
Why the study?
Does the choice of MRI flow software package and the use of background/manual contour corrections affect the quantification of flow volume and aortic insufficiency severity?
Does the choice of MRI flow software package and the use of background/manual contour corrections affect the quantification of flow volume and aortic insufficiency severity?
Turning on background correction and manual correction of propagated contours is strongly recommended for accurate MRI flow volume measurements.
Software corrections may alter aortic insufficiency severity grading; hypothesis-generating for standardized MRI flow protocols.
BACKGROUND: Velocity-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (VENC-MRI) is a commonly used technique in cardiac examinations. This technique utilizes the phase shift properties of protons moving along a magnetic field gradient. VENC-MRI offers a unique way of measuring the severity of valve regurgitation by directly quantifying the regurgitation flow volume. PURPOSE: To compare flow analysis results of different software programs and to assess the effect of background correction in sample patient cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A phantom was built out of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) which provides tubes of different diameters. These tubes can be connected to an external water circuit to generate a water flow inside the tubes. Expected absolute flow quantities inside the tubes were determined from preset tube- and flow-parameters. Different flow conditions were measured with a VENC-MRI sequence and the images evaluated using different software packages. In a second step six randomly selected patients showing different degrees of aortic insufficiency were evaluated in clinical terms. RESULTS: The contour propagation algorithms used in the software packages performed differently even on static phantom geometry. In terms of clinical evaluation the software packages performed similarly. Enabling background correction or leaving out manual correction of propagated contours changed results for severity of aortic insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Turning on background correction and manual correction of propagated contours in MRI flow volume measurements is strongly recommended.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Boye et al. (2015) studied Aortic insufficiency (n=6). Background correction and manual contour correction in MRI flow software vs. No background correction / no manual correction was evaluated on Severity of aortic insufficiency and flow analysis results. Enabling background correction and manual contour correction in MRI flow software altered the assessed severity of aortic insufficiency in clinical evaluation.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: