J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  2012 Apr;16(1):67-75. 10.13104/jksmrm.2012.16.1.67.

Reconstruction of Stereo MR Angiography Optimized to View Position and Distance using MIP

• Shin SH
• Hwang DS

• KMID: 2099839
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13104/jksmrm.2012.16.1.67

Abstract

PURPOSE
We studied enhanced method to view the vessels in the brain using Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Noticing that Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) image is often used to evaluate the arteries of the neck and brain, we propose a new method for view brain vessels to stereo image in 3D space with more superior and more correct compared with conventional method.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We use 3T Siemens Tim Trio MRI scanner with 4 channel head coil and get a 3D MRA brain data by fixing volunteers head and radiating Phase Contrast pulse sequence. MRA brain data is 3D rotated according to the view angle of each eyes. Optimal view angle (projection angle) is determined by the distance between eye and center of the data. Newly acquired MRA data are projected along with the projection line and display only the highest values. Each left and right view MIP image is integrated through anaglyph imaging method and optimal stereoscopic MIP image is acquired.
RESULTS
Result image shows that proposed method let enable to view MIP image at any direction of MRA data that is impossible to the conventional method. Moreover, considering disparity and distance from viewer to center of MRA data at spherical coordinates, we can get more realistic stereo image. In conclusion, we can get optimal stereoscopic images according to the position that viewers want to see and distance between viewer and MRA data.
CONCLUSION
Proposed method overcome problems of conventional method that shows only specific projected image (z-axis projection) and give optimal depth information by converting mono MIP image to stereoscopic image considering viewers position. And can display any view of MRA data at spherical coordinates. If the optimization algorithm and parallel processing is applied, it may give useful medical information for diagnosis and treatment planning in real-time.

Keyword

MRA data; MIP; Stereo MIP; Stereo imaging; Anaglyph

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Arteries
Brain
Eye
Head
Linear Energy Transfer
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Neck

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