Abstract #0669

Quantification & Visualization of Flow in Small Vessels of the Circle of Willis: Time-Resolved Three-Dimensional Phase Contrast MRI at 7T Compared with 3T

Pim van Ooij¹,², Jaco J. M. Zwanenburg³,⁴, Fredy Visser³, Charles B. Majoie¹, Ed vanBavel², Jeroen Hendrikse³, Aart J. Nederveen¹

¹Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; ²Biomedical Engineering & Physics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; ³Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands; ⁴Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands

Time-resolved 3D phase contrast MRI was performed in the Circle of Willis of five volunteers at 3T and 7T to investigate the differences in SNR and accuracy of blood flow quantification and visualization. At 7T the direction of the flow in the Anterior Communicating Arteries and Posterior Communicating Arteries was more distinct than at 3T. Increased signal and decreased noise levels at 7T compared to 3T enhance segmentation and allow for better quantification and visualization of flow in small vessels in the Circle of Willis.