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Computational simulations and experimental studies of 3D phase‐contrast imaging of fluid flow in carotid bifurcation geometries
Author(s) -
Marshall Ian
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.22096
Subject(s) - computational fluid dynamics , carotid bifurcation , bifurcation , magnetic resonance imaging , flow (mathematics) , mechanics , flow velocity , physics , contrast (vision) , nuclear magnetic resonance , materials science , optics , radiology , medicine , stenosis , nonlinear system , quantum mechanics
Purpose: To evaluate the use of computational fluid dynamic (CFD)‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulations to predict the image appearance and velocity measurement of fluid flow in human carotid bifurcation geometries, and to compare the results with images from experimental MRI studies. Materials and Methods: Simulated particle paths were calculated from available CFD datasets of normal and moderately stenosed carotid bifurcation geometries. An MRI simulator based on the spin isochromat method was used to generate images corresponding to a 3D phase‐contrast sequence with velocity encoding in three orthogonal directions. The resulting images were compared qualitatively with experimental MRI scans of the corresponding physical models. Results: The simulations predicted the main features observed in experimental studies, such as the low image intensity in regions of complex flow and the position and bright appearance of the jet in the stenosed bifurcation. Simulated velocity images also agreed well with experimental results. The effects of sequence parameters such as repetition time (TR) and echo time (TE) were readily demonstrated by the simulations. Conclusion: CFD‐based MRI simulations can be used to predict the appearance of MRI images of regions of physiological flow, and may be useful in the development of improved pulse sequences for flow measurement. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:928–934. ©2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.