Publication

Postprocessing techniques for gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 1, 1997

Units
PubMed

Citation
Davis C, Hany T, Wildermuth S, Schmidt M, Debatin J. Postprocessing techniques for gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography. Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc 1997; 17:1061-77.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc 1997; 17
Publication Date
Sep 1, 1997
Issn Print
0271-5333
Pages
1061-77
Brief description/objective

Contrast material-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is rapidly gaining acceptance as a versatile noninvasive alternative to conventional angiography. The technique has proved useful in the visualization and assessment of complex pathologic entities in the thoracic and abdominal aorta, renal arteries, pelvic arterial system, and pulmonary arteries. Several postprocessing techniques are available for reformation of the imaging data, including maximum intensity projection (MIP), surface rendering, and virtual intraluminal endoscopy (VIE). MIP and subvolume MIP reconstructions can be produced quickly and are useful for demonstration and archiving purposes. Because of its unique ability to display vessels without overlap, surface rendering is especially useful in depicting diseases that influence either the outer shape of the vessels or their topographic arrangement. VIE allows assessment of the inside of the vascular wall and is helpful in detecting wall-bound thrombus and evaluating the degree of stenosis. Most clinically relevant questions (eg, presence of pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysm, renal artery stenosis) can be fully answered if analysis is based on MIP and thin multiplanar reformations of contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiograms. In some cases, the use of additional postprocessing techniques enhances diagnostic confidence.