In vivo cerebromicrovasculatural visualization using 3D ΔR2-based microscopy of magnetic resonance angiography (3DΔR2-mMRA)
Journal
NeuroImage
Journal Volume
45
Journal Issue
3
Pages
824 - 831
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
This study proposed a novel methodology for depicting cerebral small vessels including veins, arterioles, and venules, called 3DΔR2-mMRA (three-dimensional, steady-state ΔR2-based, and flow-independent microscopic magnetic resonance angiography). The ΔR2 map calculated by a fast spin-echo imaging technique before and after the injection of an iron-oxide contrast agent was used to delineate the relative cerebral blood volume, primarily to microvasculature. The proposed 3DΔR2-mMRA method, which employs 3D reconstruction techniques, can simultaneously provide high-resolution 3D information on the cerebral anatomy, in vivo microvascular architecture, and hemodynamic response, which can be used to evaluate pathological microvascular changes over time in cerebromicrovascular disease. Since spin-echo-based ΔR2 imaging was applied, the inflow effects, susceptibility artifacts, and the overestimation of vessel size in brain were reduced. A well-defined three-vessel occlusion model in the rat was performed to evaluate the capability of the proposed method in evaluating alterations to the microvasculature. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Other Subjects
iron oxide; animal experiment; article; artifact; brain blood vessel; brain blood volume; controlled study; image analysis; image reconstruction; magnetic resonance angiography; mathematical analysis; nonhuman; priority journal; rat; three dimensional imaging; Animals; Brain; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Microscopy; Microvessels; Rats; Stroke
Type
journal article