mrimaster

MRV Brain : Protocol and Planning

Introduction

MRV stands for magnetic resonance venography. MRV is used to assess abnormalities in venous drainage of the brain. Two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR venography (MRV) and three-dimensional (3D) phase-contrast (PC) are the techniques commonly used to assess the cerebral venous sinuses because they are easy to perform and do not require contrast administration.

Time-of-flight (TOF)

TOF (Time-of-Flight) sequence is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that utilizes the movement of blood to generate contrast in the images. By taking advantage of the differences in magnetization between flowing blood and stationary tissues, TOF sequence produces images that highlight blood vessels and their flow dynamics. This method uses the longitudinal magnetization vector to capture the signal from the flowing blood, resulting in clear visualization of vascular structures and improved diagnosis of vascular conditions.

Phase contrast (PC)

The MRI Phase Contrast (PC) sequence is a specialized imaging technique that enables the measurement and visualization of blood flow within the body. It achieves contrast between stationary tissues and flowing blood by manipulating the phase of magnetization. In this technique, the phase of magnetization from stationary spins is zero, while the phase from moving spins is non-zero. The phase reflects the extent of the magnetization process from the time it is oriented in the transverse plane until it is detected. To minimize the signal from stationary tissue, a bipolar gradient pulse with equal magnitude but opposite direction is employed.

Phase contrast angiography (PCA) utilizes the transverse magnetization vector. In phase difference images, the signal intensity is directly proportional to the velocity of the spins. Fast-moving spins exhibit a stronger signal, appearing bright (white) in the scan when moving in one direction, while spins moving in the opposite direction appear dark (black). Phase contrast methods are sensitive to a range of velocities, requiring careful user selection. Different velocity encoding values can be applied in different scans to highlight specific vessels.

High velocity encoding, typically in the range of 40-70 cm/sec, is used for arteries due to their fast arterial flow. In contrast, low velocity encoding, usually around 10-20 cm/sec, is utilized for veins as their venous flow is slower.

Phase contrast scans can be employed for both 2D and 3D imaging, providing valuable insights into blood flow dynamics in various anatomical structures.

Indications for magnetic resonance venography (MRV) brain

Contraindications magnetic resonance venography (MRV) brain

Patient preparation magnetic resonance venography (MRV) brain

Positioning magnetic resonance venography (MRV) brain

MRV brain positioning photo

Recommended MRV Brain Protocols, Parameters, and Planning

localiser

A three-plane localizer must be taken at the beginning to localize and plan the sequences. Localizers are usually less than 25 seconds and are T1-weighted low-resolution scans.

Brain MRV localiser image

T2 tse axial

Plan the axial slices on the sagittal plane and position the block parallel to the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. Verify the planning block in the other two planes and ensure that an appropriate angle is maintained in the coronal plane, making it perpendicular to the line of the midline of the brain and the 4th ventricle. Ensure that the number of slices is sufficient to cover the entire brain from the vertex to the line of the foramen magnum.

mri brain protocol and planning of axial scans

Parameters

TR

3000-4000

TE

100-120

SLICE

5MM

FLIP

130-150

PHASE

R>L

MATRIX

320X320

FOV

210-230

GAP

10%

NEX(AVRAGE)

2

3D phase-contrast (PC) sagittal

Plan the sagittal 3D block on the axial plane and position the block parallel to the midline of the brain. Verify the planningg block in the coronal plane, ensuring it is parallel to the line along the midline and 3rd ventricle. Place the saturation band at the bottom of the block in the sagittal planes to avoid capturing arterial signals. Ensure that the number of slices is sufficient to cover the entire brain from one temporal lobe to the other.

MRI protocol and planning of MRV brain PC 3D scan

Parameters

3D phase-contrast (PC)

TR

68-75

TE

8-9

FLIP

15

NEX

2

SLICE

1MM

MATRIX

256×256

FOV

280

PHASE

A>P

GAP

20%

Velocity

10

Optional 2D TOF planning for the old generation scanners

2D time-of-flight (TOF) sagittal

Plan the sagittal 3D or 2D block on the axial plane and angle the positioning block by 10° towards the midline of the brain. Verify the planning block in the coronal plane and angle it by 10° towards the midline of the brain. This angulation is intended to minimize in-plane saturation effects. Place the saturation band at the bottom of the block in the sagittal and coronal planes to avoid arterial signals. Ensure that the number of slices is sufficient to cover the entire brain from the temporal lobe to the temporal lobe.

planning of mrv brain

Parameters

2D time-of-flight (TOF)

TR

28-35

TE

5-8

FLIP

60

NEX

1

SLICE

2MM

MATRIX

256×256

FOV

250

PHASE

A>P

GAP

-50%

MTC

ON

Maximum intensity projection (MIP)

MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection) is a widely used post-processing technique in MRI vascular studies. It involves the reconstruction of a 2D projection image from 3D volumetric data using a ray-tracing algorithm. This algorithm selects the highest intensity signal within the examined volume at each location and assigns it to a white pixel in the resulting image. By utilizing the maximum intensity values, MIP provides a visual representation that emphasizes the blood vessels’ highest signal intensity, enhancing their visibility and aiding in the evaluation of vascular structures. MIP images are particularly valuable in identifying vascular abnormalities, such as stenoses, aneurysms, and vascular malformations, as they highlight the regions with the strongest contrast enhancement.

MRV brain MIP images

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