Interactive large field-of-view peripheral magnetic resonance angiography

Date
2004
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A novel interactive technique for whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and lower limb angiography was developed. This approach scans an extended or large field­of-view (FOY) which may potentially allow imaging of the entire human body in a single MR procedure. Large FOV images were acquired by continuously and interactively moving the patient table through the scanner during data acquisition. A real-time MR system was developed to allow rapid visual feedback to the scanner operator thus enabling a fully interactive, fast, and patient-friendly approach to imaging. This technique was termed "Interactive Large Field-of-View Magnetic Resonance Imaging" and when correctly implemented allowed one to acquire an extended seamless volume (3D) image of the entire human body in a few minutes. When performed in conjunction with a single injection of an MR contrast agent, the interactive large FOV MR imaging approach allows acquisition of a high-resolution 3D study of the entire peripheral vasculature (i.e., vessels inferior to the renal arteries). These large angiograms are acquired by following the injected contrast agent dynamics in real­time and moving the patient table accordingly, in a fashion that is analogous to a conventional X-ray run-off study but without any of the risks and limitations associated with the X-ray-based imaging. The proposed imaging method introduces a new category to the arsenal of currently available approaches for performing peripheral MR angiography (MRA); a single­station/single-injection approach. Single-station/single-injection approaches will be of great benefit to patients with peripheral vascular diseases, as they will allow a quick, non­invasive, and friendly assessment of these diseases. This thesis establishes and provides evidence in support of interactive large FOV MR imaging by: . Performing theoretical development and simulations of the method, 2. Proposing novel undersampling data acquisition strategies that are necessary for limited-time contrast-enhanced acquisitions, 3. Identifying the challenges and discovering solutions to the technical and engineering issues preventing implementation of the interactive real-time large FOV MR imaging approach on a clinical MR scanner, 4. Investigating the data acquisition, processing, and reconstruction challenges in the proposed approach and presenting robust and effective solutions, and 5. Evaluating the feasibility and the functionality of the proposed technique on phantoms and humans. At the conclusion of this dissertation, I have addressed these issues and demonstrated a "proof-of-concept" for the interactive large FOV approach in whole-body MR imaging as well as in peripheral MRA.
Description
Bibliography: p. 212-231
Keywords
Citation
Sabati, M. (2004). Interactive large field-of-view peripheral magnetic resonance angiography (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/17314
Collections