Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom
Abstract Background Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) quantifies blood flow and velocity noninvasively. Challenges arise in neurovascular disorders due to small vessels. We evaluated the impact of voxel size, number of signal averages (NSA), and velocity encoding (VENC) on PC-MRI me...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-03-01
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| Series: | European Radiology Experimental |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00435-3 |
| _version_ | 1827316234668998656 |
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| author | Maria Correia de Verdier Johan Berglund Johan Wikström |
| author_facet | Maria Correia de Verdier Johan Berglund Johan Wikström |
| author_sort | Maria Correia de Verdier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) quantifies blood flow and velocity noninvasively. Challenges arise in neurovascular disorders due to small vessels. We evaluated the impact of voxel size, number of signal averages (NSA), and velocity encoding (VENC) on PC-MRI measurement accuracy and precision in a small-lumen vessel phantom. Methods We constructed an in vitro model with a constant flow rate using a 2.2-mm inner diameter plastic tube. A reservoir with a weight scale and timer was used as standard reference. Gradient-echo T1 weighted PC-MRI sequence was performed on a 3-T scanner with varying voxel size (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mm3), NSA (1, 2, 3), and VENC (200, 300, 400 cm/s). We repeated measurements nine times per setting, calculating mean flow rate, maximum velocity, and least detectable difference (LDD). Results PC-MRI flow measurements were higher than standard reference values (mean ranging from 7.3 to 9.5 mL/s compared with 6.6 mL/s). Decreased voxel size improved accuracy, reducing flow rate measurements from 9.5 to 7.3 mL/s. The LDD for flow rate and velocity varied between 1 and 5%. The LDD for flow rate decreased with increased voxel size and NSA (p = 0.033 and 0.042). The LDD for velocity decreased with increased voxel size (p < 10-16). No change was observed when VENC varied. Conclusions PC-MRI overestimated flow. However, it has high precision in a small-vessel phantom with constant flow rate. Improved accuracy was obtained with increasing spatial resolution (smaller voxels). Improved precision was obtained with increasing signal-to-noise ratio (larger voxels and/or higher NSA). Relevance statement Phase-contrast MRI is clinically used in large vessels. To further investigate the possibility of using phase-contrast MRI for smaller intracranial vessels in neurovascular disorders, we need to understand how acquisition parameters affect phase-contrast MRI-measured flow rate and velocity in small vessels. Key points • PC-MRI measures flow and velocity in a small lumen phantom with high precision but overestimates flow rate. • The precision of PC-MRI measurements matches the precision of standard reference for flow rate measurements. • Optimizing PC-MRI settings can enhance accuracy and precision in flow rate and velocity measurements. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:10:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2f18255d10194392b0cd08b6b752eb20 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2509-9280 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:10:09Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Radiology Experimental |
| spelling | doaj.art-2f18255d10194392b0cd08b6b752eb202024-03-17T12:14:06ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Radiology Experimental2509-92802024-03-018111110.1186/s41747-024-00435-3Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantomMaria Correia de Verdier0Johan Berglund1Johan Wikström2Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Neuroradiology, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Section of Molecular Imaging and Medical Physics, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Section of Neuroradiology, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Background Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) quantifies blood flow and velocity noninvasively. Challenges arise in neurovascular disorders due to small vessels. We evaluated the impact of voxel size, number of signal averages (NSA), and velocity encoding (VENC) on PC-MRI measurement accuracy and precision in a small-lumen vessel phantom. Methods We constructed an in vitro model with a constant flow rate using a 2.2-mm inner diameter plastic tube. A reservoir with a weight scale and timer was used as standard reference. Gradient-echo T1 weighted PC-MRI sequence was performed on a 3-T scanner with varying voxel size (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mm3), NSA (1, 2, 3), and VENC (200, 300, 400 cm/s). We repeated measurements nine times per setting, calculating mean flow rate, maximum velocity, and least detectable difference (LDD). Results PC-MRI flow measurements were higher than standard reference values (mean ranging from 7.3 to 9.5 mL/s compared with 6.6 mL/s). Decreased voxel size improved accuracy, reducing flow rate measurements from 9.5 to 7.3 mL/s. The LDD for flow rate and velocity varied between 1 and 5%. The LDD for flow rate decreased with increased voxel size and NSA (p = 0.033 and 0.042). The LDD for velocity decreased with increased voxel size (p < 10-16). No change was observed when VENC varied. Conclusions PC-MRI overestimated flow. However, it has high precision in a small-vessel phantom with constant flow rate. Improved accuracy was obtained with increasing spatial resolution (smaller voxels). Improved precision was obtained with increasing signal-to-noise ratio (larger voxels and/or higher NSA). Relevance statement Phase-contrast MRI is clinically used in large vessels. To further investigate the possibility of using phase-contrast MRI for smaller intracranial vessels in neurovascular disorders, we need to understand how acquisition parameters affect phase-contrast MRI-measured flow rate and velocity in small vessels. Key points • PC-MRI measures flow and velocity in a small lumen phantom with high precision but overestimates flow rate. • The precision of PC-MRI measurements matches the precision of standard reference for flow rate measurements. • Optimizing PC-MRI settings can enhance accuracy and precision in flow rate and velocity measurements. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00435-3Blood vesselsBlood flow velocityMagnetic resonance angiographyMagnetic resonance imagingPhantom studies |
| spellingShingle | Maria Correia de Verdier Johan Berglund Johan Wikström Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom European Radiology Experimental Blood vessels Blood flow velocity Magnetic resonance angiography Magnetic resonance imaging Phantom studies |
| title | Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom |
| title_full | Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom |
| title_fullStr | Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom |
| title_short | Effect of MRI acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase-contrast measurements in a small-lumen vessel phantom |
| title_sort | effect of mri acquisition parameters on accuracy and precision of phase contrast measurements in a small lumen vessel phantom |
| topic | Blood vessels Blood flow velocity Magnetic resonance angiography Magnetic resonance imaging Phantom studies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-024-00435-3 |
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