• Bo Li, Hao Li, and Li Dong.
• Center Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330008, China.
• Sci China Life Sci. 2019 Dec 1; 62 (12): 1683-1691.

AbstractIn this study, we quantitatively compared relaxation enhanced compressed sensing (RECS-3D MERGE) with conventional 3D MERGE techniques on blood suppression efficiency, wall-lumen contrast and plaque burden measurement for carotid atherosclerotic imaging in equal scan time. Twelve patients were recruited in the study. RECS-3D MERGE and conventional 3D MERGE were implemented. 2D DIR-FSE was carried out as a reference standard. The lumen signal-to-tissue ratio (STR) was used as the quantitative measure of blood suppression efficiency. The contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) was used as the quantitative measure of wall-lumen contrast. Vessel lumen area (LA) and wall area (WA) were measured for morphological comparisons. The lumen STR of RECS-3D MERGE was significantly lower than that of 3D MERGE while the wall-lumen CTR of RECS-3D MERGE was significantly higher. There were no significant differences in plaque burden measurements between RECS-3D MERGE and 2D DIR-FSE. For comparison between conventional 3D MERGE and 2D DIR-FSE, there were no significant differences in LA measurement. However, the WA of 3D MERGE was significantly larger. The RECS-3D MERGE sequence achieved more sufficient blood suppression and higher image contrast without prolonging the scan time. These improvements lead to more accurate morphological measurements of carotid atherosclerotic imaging.

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