Does EPI readout improve measurement accuracy compared to GRE readout in 4D flow MRI?
EPI readout is inferior to standard GRE for 4D flow MRI due to velocity misregistration and resolution degradation.
PURPOSE: To compare EPI and GRE readout in high-flow velocity regimes and evaluate their impact on measurement accuracy in silico and in vitro. THEORY AND METHODS: Phase-contrast sequences for EPI and GRE were simulated using CFD velocity data to assess displacement artifacts as well as effective spatial resolution. In silico findings were validated experimentally using a steady flow phantom. RESULTS: was found. CONCLUSIONS: Four-dimensional flow MRI using EPI readout results not only in considerable velocity misregistration but also in spatially varying degradation of resolution. The proposed work indicates that EPI is inferior to standard GRE for 4D flow MRI.
Dillinger et al. (Wed,) studied this question.