MR imaging of poststenotic flow phenomena: experimental studies

Poststenotic flow patterns were analyzed in a flow phantom with a 1.5-T magnetic resonance (MR) imager, with use of different MR imaging and MR angiographic pulse sequences. Spin-echo, fast field-echo, two-dimensional inflow (multiple single-section technique), and flow-adjusted-gradient sequences were applied. For the spin-echo sequences, modulus and phase images were reconstructed from each data set. The length of the region of poststenotic changes in signal amplitude and phase measured at a constant flow rate increased with stenosis grade. Likewise, the length of the region of poststenotic changes measured at a constant stenosis grade increased with flow rate. Moreover, the results depended on the alignment of the flow direction with the readout gradient. Comparison of modulus and phase images allowed discrimination of turbulent and nonturbulent flow, which yields additional information on stenosis grade in clinical MR angiography.