Cerebral arteriovenous malformation: Complex 3D hemodynamics and 3D blood flow alterations during staged embolization

Complex hemodynamics in cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are thought to play a key role in their pathophysiology. We applied 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detailed evaluation of AVM function at baseline and to investigate the impact of staged embolization on AVM hemodynamics in a patient with a Spetzler‐Martin grade III AVM. The patient underwent three embolization procedures resulting in >50% nidal casting and obliteration of several arteriovenous fistulae. 4D flow MRI demonstrated highly complex 3D hemodynamics at baseline and revealed intricate arterial feeding, a large vascularized nidus with high variability in regional blood flow velocities, and clearly visible venous drainage with high flow velocities above 50 cm/s. 3D blood flow visualization and quantification during follow‐up illustrated the systemic impact of focal embolization on cerebral hemodynamics resulting in compaction of the AVM, redistribution of blood flow velocities, and altered peak flow velocities and blood flow in multiple vascular territories. 4D flow MRI may offer a useful noninvasive tool to help to identify subtleties and nuances of the quantitative hemodynamic alterations in AVM vascular architecture as a supplement to established imaging modalities. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:946–950 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc .     

In vivo validation of 4D flow MRI for assessing the hemodynamics of portal hypertension

Purpose:

To implement and validate in vivo radial 4D flow MRI for quantification of blood flow in the hepatic arterial, portal venous, and splanchnic vasculature of healthy volunteers and patients with portal hypertension.

Materials and Methods:

Seventeen patients with portal hypertension and seven subjects with no liver disease were included in this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)‐compliant and Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved study. Exams were conducted at 3T using a 32‐channel body coil with large volumetric coverage and 1.4 mm isotropic true spatial resolution. Using postprocessing software, cut‐planes orthogonal to vessels were used to quantify flow (L/min) in the hepatic and splanchnic vasculature.

Results:

Flow quantification was successful in all cases. Portal vein and supraceliac aorta flow demonstrated high variability among patients. Measurements were validated indirectly using internal consistency at three different locations within the portal vein (error = 4.2 ± 3.9%) and conservation of mass at the portal confluence (error = 5.9 ± 2.5%) and portal bifurcation (error = 5.8 ± 3.1%).

Conclusion:

This work demonstrates the feasibility of radial 4D flow MRI to quantify flow in the hepatic and splanchnic vasculature. Flow results agreed well with data reported in the literature, and conservation of mass provided indirect validation of flow quantification. Flow in patients with portal hypertensions demonstrated high variability, with patterns and magnitude consistent with the hyperdynamic state that commonly occurs in portal hypertension. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1100–1108. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.