High spatial-resolution CE-MRA of the carotid circulation with parallel imaging: comparison of image quality between 2 different acceleration factors at 3.0 Tesla
Abstract
We sought to evaluate and compare the image quality and vessel delineation of the carotid arteries with high spatial-resolution contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) at 3.0 T using integrated parallel acquisition (iPAT) with acceleration factors of 2 and 4. Using an 8-channel neurovascular array coil, we performed prospective high-spatial resolution CE-MRA at 3.0 T of the head and neck on 24 patients (11 men, 13 women, ages 37-89) with suspected arterio-occlusive disease who were assigned randomly to 2 groups. Twelve patients (group A) were examined with a 3D-GRE sequence using iPAT with acceleration factor of 2. For the next 12 patients (group B) a near-identical sequence with an acceleration factor of 4 was applied. Higher iPAT factors were used to increase the spatial-resolution while keeping scan time unchanged. Two volunteers were scanned by both protocols. Phantom measurements were performed to assess the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The presence of artifact, noise, image quality of the arterial segments, and the presence and degree of arterial stenosis were evaluated independently by 2 radiologists. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using Wilcoxon rank sum test and 2-sample Student t test (P < 0.05 was indicative a ...Continue Reading
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