Quantitation of vessel morphology from 3D MRA

Abstract

Three dimensional magnetic resonance angiographic images (3D MRA) are routinely inspected using maximum intensity projections (MIP). However, accuracy of stenosis estimates based on projections is limited. Therefore, a method for quantitative 3D MRA is introduced. Linear vessel segments are modeled with a central vessel axis curve coupled to a vessel wall surface. First, the central vessel axis is determined. Subsequently, the vessel wall is segmented using knowledge of the acquisition process. The user interaction to initialize the model is performed in a 3D setting. The method is validated on a carotid bifurcation phantom and also illustrated on patient data.