PC: 3D scan

General

• 3D PC and Complex Difference reconstruction call for relatively long scan times (they may require pre-evaluation with 2D Phase Contrast to determine the optimal VENC value).
• 3D PC studies take longer to reconstruct than 3D TOF exams. Consider arranging the scanning protocols to place 3D Phase Contrast at the end of the exam.

Scan Parameters

• Flip angle: As flip angle increases, there is greater saturation of small vessels that have slower flow. In areas of fast flow, increasing the flip angle may cause pixel overranges and reduce the measured flow rate and velocity. Larger flip angles may increase the severity of pulsatile flow artifacts.
• Slice numbers: The acquired slice number depends partly on the number of flow-encoding axes prescribed and partly on the matrix chosen (the system may delay acquisition of a new series until reconstruction is complete and memory is available).
• TR: Increasing the TR increases scan time, increases SNR, and decreases blood/background contrast.
• PC tab:
  • If Complex Diff reconstruction is selected, selecting additional flow direction images results in white blood images.
  • Complex Difference reconstruction does not provide directional flow information.
  • If All is selected for Acq. Flow Direction, additional flow direction images may be selected (selecting additional images increases reconstruction time).

Post-process tasks

There are multiple compatible post-process tasks. For details, see Add post-process task.

• Maximum Intensity Projection
• Multi Planar Reconstruction
• Image Enhancement Filters