Phase-contrast MRI for measuring blood flow in external carotid artery branches
Feasibility Study of Phase-contrast MRI for Flow in the External Carotid Branches Arteries in Normal and Pathological Cases
We will test a phase-contrast MRI technique to measure blood flow in branches of the external carotid artery in healthy volunteers and people who had prior head and neck radiation, embolization, or free‑flap surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Amiens, Picardie) |
| Trial ID | NCT02829190 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center interventional imaging protocol will develop and optimize phase-contrast MRI sequences that combine quantitative flow measurements with anatomical images of external carotid artery branches. The study enrolls four groups: healthy volunteers, people with prior head and neck radiotherapy (≥50 Gy, >1 year), patients with prior embolization of external carotid branches, and patients after muscular free flap surgery (>1 month). Imaging sessions will target facial, lingual, superior thyroid and internal maxillary artery branches to characterize flow dynamics. Results will be compared across groups to establish feasible acquisition parameters for small vessel flow quantification and to inform clinical applications in cranio-maxillofacial care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who can undergo MRI and fit one of the four groups: healthy volunteers, prior head/neck radiotherapy ≥50 Gy more than one year ago, prior embolization of external carotid branches, or muscular free flap surgery at least one month earlier, and who give informed consent.
Not a fit: Patients with active head and neck cancer, recent head/neck surgery, pregnancy or lactation, MRI contraindications, guardianship/trusteeship, or other listed exclusions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the technique could provide clinicians with precise, noninvasive blood flow maps of external carotid branches to better plan and manage cranio-maxillofacial surgery and vascular complications.
How similar studies have performed: Phase-contrast MRI is established for flow measurement in larger and intracranial vessels, but applying it to the small branches of the external carotid artery is relatively novel and has limited prior validation.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * group 1 : healthy volunteer * group 2 : X-Ray treatment antecedent (at least 50 grays and older than one year) * group 3 : antecedent of embolization of branches of external carotid artery * group 4 : antecedent of muscular free flap surgery (older than one month) * free and informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * group 1 : facial pathology, antecedent of facial injury, antecedent of X-Ray treatment in head and neck localisation, antecedent of head and neck cancer * group 2 : antecedent of surgery for head and neck cancer or for vascular disease * group 3 : antecedent of surgery for head and neck cancer or for vascular disease ; antecedent of X-Ray treatment. * group 4 : antecedent of surgery for head and neck cancer or for vascular disease ; antecedent of X-Ray treatment or embolization * patient with guardianship or trusteeship * MRI cons-indications * pregnancy and lactation
Where this trial is running
Amiens, Picardie
- Departement of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Amiens University Hospital — Amiens, Picardie, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Bernard DEVAUCHELLE, MD, phD — Amiens University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Stéphanie DAKPE, MD
- Email: dakpe.stephanie@chu-amiens.fr
- Phone: 03 22 08 90 50
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.