Clinical neuroimaging using arterial spin-labeled perfusion magnetic resonance imaging

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Medical Physics
• Radiology

Background:

• Perfusion MRI is crucial for assessing brain function and disease.
• Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI is widely used but has limitations.
• Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI presents a promising alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI techniques.
• To highlight the advantages of ASL over DSC perfusion MRI.
• To discuss the clinical applications of ASL in neuroimaging.

Main Methods:

• Focus on ASL perfusion MRI principles.
• Comparison of ASL and DSC perfusion MRI methodologies.
• Review of clinical studies utilizing ASL.

Main Results:

• ASL enables noninvasive, absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements.
• ASL is relatively insensitive to permeability and allows repeated measurements.
• ASL is applicable to diverse neurological conditions.

Conclusions:

• ASL perfusion MRI offers significant advantages for clinical neuroimaging.
• Advancements in ASL sensitivity are driving increased clinical adoption.
• ASL is a versatile tool for evaluating cerebrovascular disease, neoplasms, and neurological disorders.