Simultaneous measurement of flow in the superior mesenteric vein and artery with cine phase-contrast MR imaging: value in diagnosis of chronic mesenteric ischemia. Work in progress.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of measurements of blood flow in the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) simultaneously acquired with phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for diagnosing chronic mesenteric ischemia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Simultaneous measurements of flow in the SMV and SMA were obtained in six healthy volunteers and eight patients with angiographically proved SMA stenosis (six asymptomatic, two symptomatic). Flow dynamics in both vessels were correlated with the degree of arterial disease seen at angiography and with the presence or absence of ischemic symptoms.
RESULTS: Postprandial SMV and SMA flow increased substantially less in patients with atherosclerosis than in volunteers. Comparison of simultaneous SMV and SMA flow measurements provided more information about collateral flow to and from the mesenteric circulation than did either the SMV or SMA flow measurement alone.
CONCLUSION: Simultaneous SMV and SMA flow measurement with cine phase-contrast MR imaging may be useful in diagnosing and understanding chronic mesenteric ischemia.