Surface coil intensity correction and non-linear intensity normalization improve pixel-resolution parametric maps of myocardial MRI perfusion

Abstract

We present a systematic approach to generate pixel-wise parametric maps from contrast-enhanced MR myocardial perfusion images. A surface coil intensity correction algorithm is used to compensate the myocardial intensity inhomogeneity. Non-linear intensity normalization is applied to color encode the pixel intensity. The preliminary result shows our technique is valuable in differentiating perfusion defects within myocardial regions of interest.