Quantitative phase-flow MR imaging in dogs by using standard sequences: comparison with in vivo flow-meter measurements.
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
For evaluation of the feasibility and clinical potential of using the phase data from standard MR imaging sequences to measure blood flow, 11 vessels with diameters of 4 to 7 mm were imaged in seven dogs. The flow in either the superior mesenteric vein or the inferior vena cava was measured first at laparotomy (in ml/min) with electromagnetic flow meters. Immediately thereafter, these vessels were imaged by MR in 25-mm thick sections by using a standard spin echo (SE) 750/30 sequence with a Philips 0.5-T imager. Previous phase-flow calibration of the imager and sequence allowed calculation of the blood flow rates from the phase images that were used to measure the vessels' cross-sectional areas and blood phase values. Comparison of the measurements obtained with each technique showed a significant correlation (r = .977, p less than .05) between MR-imaging values and flow-meter measurements when the blood velocity was less than approximately 40 cm/sec, the known upper limit of the flow dynamic range for the MR hardware and sequence used. There was no correlation for blood velocities greater than 40 cm/sec. However, the range of blood flow velocities in dogs and man extends to more than 100 cm/sec. Thus, these results suggest that this technique might yield valuable adjunctive flow data in routine clinical imaging provided that improvements in hardware and software permit a larger dynamic range.
