Mallikarjunarao Kasam PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yunhong Shu PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kirk M. Welker MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vaibhav Juneja PhD, MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Accurate quantification of artery/vein occlusion in acute ischemic stroke is necessary as this information can aid in reaching precise diagnosis. Recently several angiographic reconstruction methods were used to quantify occlusion in acute stroke. But these methods need long computational time. In the conventional clinical practice, artery/vein occlusion in an ischemic stroke patient is usually detected by MRA/MRV or CTA/CTV followed by Doppler ultrasound to confirm the stenosis profile. But the ultrasound exam is limited by its qualitative nature and high degree of subjectivity. More quantitative methods are needed to visualize the site of occlusion and measure the extent of occlusion.

Patient exams were performed under an IRB-approved protocol. Two 3D SWIRLS single phase contrast-enhanced angiographies with 1mm3 spatial resolution were used for this work. Clinical exams were acquired on 3.0T MRI(GE, WI). Data analysis: The raw data was post-processed using tree analysis and virtual endoscopy modules of Analyze 11.0 software (Analyze 11.0; Biomedical Imaging Resource, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) to fly through the vessel. A statistical parameter called Brightness Area Product (BAP) was defined as the sum of the intensities above the sample minimum intensity/threshold set by the user. 

We proposed a simple and fast automated post-processing method to fly through the artery/vein using Analyze11 software. This technique can be extended to any arteries or veins for neuro, cardiac and body applications to monitor internal vasculature and to estimate the stenosis using the statistical parameter BAP, which generates a master profile/database of arteries/vein. 

This isthe first step towards the above problem by establishing a simple, automated post-processing method to fly through the vessels using tree analysis module and visualization of these vessels.This technique provides a simple, fast and automated method to fly through and have virtual endoscopic view of entire artery/vein trees especially at the regions of bifurcations where the occlusion possibility is prominent.The computation time for this method is < 5 min compared to the other reconstruction techniques (>~ 30 min).

Kasam, M, Shu, Y, Welker, K, Juneja, V, Fast and Automated MRA/ MRV Reconstruction Technique to Fly-through the Artery/ Vein.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13014670.html