NMR blood flow imaging using multiecho, phase contrast sequences.

Moving nuclei, in contrast to stationary nuclei, experience a phase shift in the presence of a balanced gradient. Monitoring of this phase shift can be used to measure the flow velocity of moving nuclei. A specific scan sequence for blood flow imaging is presented. This sequence uses multiple echoes as well as a phase contrast approach to generate both conventional anatomical images and blood flow images from the same data. Images of a phantom and a human volunteer demonstrating the accuracy of the method are presented.