FLOW QUANTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS METHODS

The sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance to motion can be harnessed to produce quantitative measurements of low flow velocity and volume flow rate. MR flow quantification is noninvasive, can be performed in arbitrary locations and in any image orientation, and is fairly rapid. This article discusses the basic techniques with particular attention to phase contrast quantitation of volume flow rate, especially the determinants of accuracy and reproducibility in these measurements.