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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Rat Common Carotid Artery
Published on: September 5, 2018
Visualization of hemodynamics in intracranial arteries using time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast MRI
Shuhei Yamashita1, Haruo Isoda, Masaya Hirano
1Department of Radiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan. shuheiy@hama-med.ac.jp
Purpose:
To visualize the hemodynamics of the intracranial arteries using time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast (PC)-MRI (4D-Flow).
Materials And Methods:
MR examinations were performed with a 1.5T MR unit on six healthy volunteers (22-50 years old, average = 30 years). 4D-Flow was based on a radiofrequency (RF)-spoiled gradient-echo sequence, and velocity encoding (VENC) was performed along all three spatial directions. Measurements were retrospectively gated to the electrocardiogram (ECG), and cine series of three-dimensional (3D) data sets were generated. The voxel size was 1 x 1 x 1 mm, and acquisition time was 30-40 minutes. 4D data sets were calculated into time-resolved images of 3D streamlines, 3D particle traces, and 2D velocity vector fields by means of flow visualization software.
Results:
We were able to see the 3D streamlines from the circle of Willis to the bilateral M2 segment of the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). Time-resolved images of 3D particle traces also clearly demonstrated intracranial arterial flow dynamics. 2D velocity vector fields on the planes traversing the carotid siphon or the basilar tip were clearly visualized. These results were obtained in all six volunteers.
Conclusion:
4D-Flow helped to elucidate the in vivo 3D hemodynamics of human intracranial arteries. This method may be a useful noninvasive means of analyzing the hemodynamics of intracranial arteries in vivo.
Insights
Time-resolved 4D-Flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) successfully visualized in vivo hemodynamics of intracranial arteries. This noninvasive technique offers a valuable tool for analyzing blood flow in the brain's major arteries.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Understanding intracranial arterial hemodynamics is crucial for diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular diseases.
- Traditional imaging methods may not fully capture the complex, time-varying nature of blood flow in the brain's arteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize the hemodynamics of intracranial arteries using time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast (PC)-MRI, also known as 4D-Flow.
- To assess the feasibility of 4D-Flow for noninvasively analyzing in vivo intracranial hemodynamics.
Main Methods:
- MR examinations were performed on six healthy volunteers using a 1.5T MR unit.
- 4D-Flow utilized a radiofrequency (RF)-spoiled gradient-echo sequence with velocity encoding in all three spatial directions.
- Data were retrospectively ECG-gated, generating cine series of 3D datasets (1x1x1 mm voxel size, 30-40 min acquisition time) for flow visualization.
Main Results:
- 3D streamlines visualized flow from the circle of Willis to the M2 segments of the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs).
- Time-resolved 3D particle traces clearly demonstrated intracranial arterial flow dynamics.
- 2D velocity vector fields were clearly visualized in planes traversing the carotid siphon and basilar tip in all volunteers.
Conclusions:
- 4D-Flow effectively elucidated in vivo 3D hemodynamics of human intracranial arteries.
- This noninvasive method shows promise as a valuable tool for analyzing intracranial arterial hemodynamics.
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