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Preservation of sickle cell blood-flow patterns during MR imaging: an in vivo study
A S Brody1, S H Embury, W C Mentzer
1Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Buffalo, NY 14222.
Abstract:
Magnetic fields and RF energy have been shown to affect sickle erythrocytes in vitro. Because both strong magnetic fields and RF energy are used in MR imaging, it has been suggested that capillary blood flow in patients with sickle cell disease may be altered during MR imaging. In order to examine sickle cell blood flow during MR imaging in vivo, laser-Doppler velocimetry was performed in normal control subjects and in sickle cell subjects before, during, and after MR imaging at 0.35 and 1.5 T. Mean blood flow and patterns of blood-flow variability were compared by two hematologists. No differences were found on the recordings from each subject made before, during, and after MR imaging were compared. Blood-flow patterns generally differed between control and sickle cell subjects. Periodic oscillatory blood flow, reportedly a specific finding in sickle cell subjects, was observed in one control subject and was not consistently found in sickle cell subjects. Although energies employed during MR imaging have effects on sickle erythrocytes in vitro, our data show no changes in sickle cell blood flow during MR imaging in vivo.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and RF energy. This study found no changes in sickle cell blood flow in vivo during MRI, despite in vitro effects on sickle erythrocytes.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Hematology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Sickle erythrocytes are sensitive to magnetic fields and radiofrequency (RF) energy in vitro.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) utilizes strong magnetic fields and RF energy.
- Concerns exist regarding potential alterations in sickle cell disease (SCD) capillary blood flow during MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in vivo changes in sickle cell blood flow during MRI.
- To compare blood flow patterns in SCD patients and healthy controls during MRI.
- To assess the impact of MRI exposure on sickle cell erythrocytes in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Laser-Doppler velocimetry was employed to measure blood flow.
- Measurements were taken from both SCD patients and normal controls.
- Blood flow was assessed before, during, and after MRI at 0.35 T and 1.5 T.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in mean blood flow or variability were observed during MRI compared to baseline.
- Blood flow patterns differed between control and SCD subjects, but not consistently related to MRI.
- Periodic oscillatory blood flow, a purported SCD marker, was inconsistently observed in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Despite in vitro effects of MRI energies on sickle erythrocytes, in vivo studies show no alterations in sickle cell blood flow during MRI.
- MRI appears safe concerning acute blood flow changes in sickle cell disease patients.
- Further research may be needed to understand the complex blood flow dynamics in SCD.