We report a fast quantitative CSF flow imaging method based on the spatial-temporal perturbation patterns formed at the transition bands in balanced steady-state-free-precession (SSFP) images when combined with a background magnetic field gradient. By modeling CSF flow as a combination of a pulsatile (AC) and a constant (DC) flow component across the cardiac cycle, a dictionary was generated based on Bloch simulations and used to translate the observed patterns to flow velocities. Monte-Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate the accuracy of the approach. CSF flow resulting from different physiological mechanisms was quantified in selected regions in 12 healthy subjects.
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