American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 146, Issue 5, 931-939
Copyright © 1986 by American Roentgen Ray Society
MRI of blood flow: correlation of image appearance with spin-echo phase shift and signal intensity
PE Valk,
JD Hale,
LE Crooks,
L Kaufman,
MS Roos,
DA Ortendahl,
and
CB Higgins
Phase-sensitive imaging was used to correlate signal distribution with phase shift and velocity distribution in spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Flow-dependent, changing intensity patterns that were seen in a constant-flow phantom study were explained by the simultaneous effects of inflow signal enhancement, first-echo dephasing, and outflow signal loss occurring during laminar flow. In clinical studies, first-echo dephasing was shown during laminar flow in the inferior vena cava. Turbulent flow was demonstrated in the descending thoracic aorta during late systolic flow, and turbulent dephasing-rephasing was shown in the abdominal aorta.