VELOCITY-CODED COLOR MR-ANGIOGRAPHY

We developed a method of velocity-coded color MR angiography using a c olor code from the data obtained from velocity-phase images of phase-c ontrast MR angiography in order to add flow direction information to M R angiograms. Phase-contrast MR angiography with reconstruction of vel ocity-phase images was performed in 30 patients, Two projection images from velocity-phase images of each phase-contrast MR angiogram were o btained and assigned color according to flow direction. We then superi mposed the two color images onto the maximum intensity projection imag e of the MR angiogram. The velocity-coded color MR angiogram clearly s howed now direction from the data on the phase contrast MR angiogram o f the neck. Veins were readily distinguishable from arteries, and flow changes, such as a subclavian steal, were also identified.