Quantitative evaluation of three contrast-enhanced carotid artery exam acquisition methods using magnetic resonance imaging

Considerable controversy exists over the appropriate use of various diagnostic imaging procedures for detecting carotid artery stenosis. In 2002, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services commissioned the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) to investigate further. The report concluded that: (1) "... studies of MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography), even those not affected by verification bias, were generally of only fair to poor quality. Large, multicenter studies of MRA accuracy have not been conducted", (2) "high-quality studies of MRA accuracy and reliability, particularly for contrast enhanced MRA are needed"; This thesis documents the quantitative analysis of three separate diagnostic imaging techniques used to acquire contrast-enhanced carotid artery exams using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The purpose of this evaluation is to compare the accuracy and reliability of each method in the real life clinical setting to demonstrate the best clear choice of technique that should be used.