Phase‐contrast MR flow imaging: A tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in rats with a healthy, fibrotic, or cirrhotic liver

Abstract

2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1526-1534.

Fluid dynamics analyses of the intrahepatic portal vein tributaries using 7-T MRI

“…In small animals, flow meters, [13][14][15] lase specs, 16 and microspheres, 17,18 have been used to evaluate PV flow, but these modalities are too invasive to be used repeatedly, and the flow velocity data they provide is insufficiently detailed. Alternatively, several studies have used MRI to evaluate PV flow in humans and rodents, 19,20 concluding that MRI offers several advantages over the aforementioned modalities, including noninvasiveness, objectivity as opposed to examiner dependence, and a three-dimensional scanning area. Yet even 2D cine PC-MRI, the standard MRI method to date, only detects flow velocity perpendicular to a single cross-sectional scanning plane, and so does not enable flow assessment of the entire PV tree.…”

“…Because this technology has not frequently been applied to the liver or to PV flow assessment, this study aimed to confirm its usefulness by comparing a dataset obtained by 3D PC-MRI with one obtained in the same area by 2D PC-MRI as well as with previously reported data on the rat PVobtained by 2D PC-MRI. 20 Average flow velocity obtained by 3D PC-MRI, by 2D PC-MRI, and from the reported data, 20 was 7.4 ± 2.3, 8.2 ± 1.5, and 7.0 ± 1.7 m/min, respectively; flow volume rate obtained from these three sources was 17.1 ± 2.6, 18.6 ± 2.1, and 20 ± 7 mL/min, respectively.…”