CHRONIC MESENTERIC ISCHEMIA - EVALUATION WITH PHASE-CONTRAST CINE MR-IMAGING

PURPOSE: To compare superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow in hea lthy volunteers and patients with stenoses in the fasting state and af ter food intake by using phase-contrast (PC) cine magnetic resonance ( MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy subjects, four asympto matic patients (three with 50% stenosis, one with 70% stenosis), and o ne symptomatic patient (with 80% stenosis) were studied. All subjects were studied after fasting at least 8 hours and 15, 30, and 45 minutes after ingesting a standard meal. RESULTS: In healthy volunteers, SMA blood flow at all postprandial intervals increased significantly compa red with that obtained after fasting (P less than or equal to.0005). T he percentage change in SMA blood flow 30 minutes after food intake pr ovided the best distinction between the healthy subjects, the asymptom atic patients, and the symptomatic patient. CONCLUSION: Cine PC MR ima ging is an effective, noninvasive technique for measuring SMA blood fl ow.