Evaluation of flow measurement from the first pass bolus T-1 weighted images using inversion recovery sequence

Abstract

Objective: Previous studies have shown that the organ blood flows (OBFs) calculated using the T-1 weighted MRI technique were lower than the expected values. The aim of this study was a flow measurement comparison between the theoretical and experimental flows based on the technique before and after corrections (coil non-uniformity and inflow) using a flow phantom at two different concentrations (0.8 and 1.2 mmol l(-1)). Methods: A flow phantom was designed to produce three different flow rates at the same time. Theoretical flow was calculated by measuring the volumes of the phantom and dividing them by the time taken to fill these volumes. T-1 weighted turbo fast low-angle shot images were used to measure signal intensity (SI) change during the first bolus passage of the contrast medium through the phantom using linear phase-encoding acquisition. Results: The corrected experimental flow based on the technique shows a good agreement with the theoretical flow, where the flow rate is low at the two concentrations. Conclusion: The T-1 weighted MRI technique after the two correction factors can be used to measure the absolute flow where the flow rate is low, such as in the capillaries. For measuring high flow rate (e.g. artery), additional correction factors should be considered.