4D Phase Contrast MRI in Intracranial Aneurysms: A Comparison with Patient-Specific Computational Fluid Dynamics with Temporal and Spatial Inflow Velocity Boundary Conditions as Measured with 2D Phase Contrast MRI

Pim van Ooij¹, ², Joppe Schneiders¹, Henk A. Marquering¹, ², Charles B. Majoie¹, Ed vanBavel², Aart J. Nederveen¹

4D phase contrast MRI measurements (4D PC-MRI) in intracranial aneurysms are presented and compared with patient-specific computational fluid dynamics in which a 4D velocity profile as measured with through-plane PC-MRI (2D PC-MRI) is prescribed as inflow boundary conditions. Quantitative and qualitative similarities were found. Although the inflow velocity assumption in CFD is minimized by using the 2D PC-MRI measurement, other assumptions cause deviations from measured flow patterns. However, in CFD the resolution is higher and results show more flow details. Thus, for hemodynamic assessment, CFD and 4D PC-MRI complement each other.