NMR measurements of different tissue perfusion parameters

The traditional perfusion rate is based on the amount of fluid flowing longitudinally down the capillaries, often given in ml/100 g tissue/min. In principle, fluid flowing radially out of or into the capillaries can be measured as well. Radial and longitudinal perfusion have the same units but independent values. If spins leave and reenter a capillary several times during a transit, radial perfusion can exceed longitudinal perfusion and it probably does. Radial perfusion measures capillary wall function. Progressively increasing the time between two gradient pulses in a proposed radial perfusion imaging sequence allows more magnetization to move into the vasculature to be dephased or removed. Progressive decreases in gradient strength keep diffusion effects constant allowing isolation of the desired perfusion effects.