Chronic mesenteric ischemia: evaluation with phase-contrast cine MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To compare superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow in healthy volunteers and patients with stenoses in the fasting state and after food intake by using phase-contrast (PC) cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy subjects, four asymptomatic patients (three with 50% stenosis, one with 70% stenosis), and one symptomatic patient (with 80% stenosis) were studied. All subjects were studied after fasting at least 8 hours and 15, 30, and 45 minutes after ingesting a standard meal.

RESULTS: In healthy volunteers, SMA blood flow at all postprandial intervals increased significantly compared with that obtained after fasting (P < or = .0005). The percentage change in SMA blood flow 30 minutes after food intake provided the best distinction between the healthy subjects, the asymptomatic patients, and the symptomatic patient.

CONCLUSION: Cine PC MR imaging is an effective, noninvasive technique for measuring SMA blood flow.