Correction for Displacement Artifacts in 3D Phase Contrast Imaging

Purpose: To correct for displacement artifacts in 3D phase contrast imaging.

Materials And Methods: A 3D phase contrast pulse sequence was modified so that displacements of velocity measurements were restricted to one direction. By applying a postprocessing method, displaced measurements could be traced back to their accurate positions. Flow studies were performed using a phantom that generated flow through a stenosis, directed oblique relative to the phase and frequency encoding directions. Velocity profiles and streamline visualization were used to compare displaced and corrected velocity data to a reference.

Results: Velocity profiles obtained from the original measurement showed skewed profiles due to the displacement artifact, both at close proximity to the orifice as well as further downstream. After correction, concordance with the reference improved considerably.

Conclusion: The displacement artifact, which restricts the accuracy of phase contrast measurements, can be corrected for using the proposed method. Correction of the phase contrast velocity data may improve the accuracy of subsequent flow analysis and visualization.