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Arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion: techniques and clinical use
J-C Ferré1, E Bannier, H Raoult
1CHU de Rennes, Department of Radiology, Hôpital Pontchaillou, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35033 Rennes cedex 9, France; Plateforme Neurinfo, CHU de Rennes, Hôpital Pontchaillou, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35033 Rennes cedex 9, France; INRIA, VisAGeS unité/projet U746, 35042 Rennes, France; INSERM VisAGeS unité/projet U746, UMR 6074, Irisa, Université Rennes 1, 35043 Rennes cedex, France.
Arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI quantifies blood flow non-invasively by labeling arterial blood protons. This review covers ASL principles, mapping quality, artifacts, and key brain and kidney applications.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion is a non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique.
- It quantifies tissue blood flow by magnetically labeling protons in arterial blood.
- Unlike other methods, ASL does not require exogenous contrast agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the fundamental principles of ASL perfusion MRI, including labeling techniques and mapping strategies.
- To define quality criteria for ASL-derived perfusion maps and highlight common artifacts.
- To outline the primary applications of ASL in encephalic (brain) and renal (kidney) imaging.
Main Methods:
- Review of ASL principles, focusing on radiofrequency pulse labeling of arterial blood water.
- Discussion of various ASL labeling strategies (e.g., continuous, pseudo-continuous, pulsed).
- Explanation of image acquisition and post-processing techniques for generating perfusion maps.
Main Results:
- ASL provides quantitative tissue perfusion information without contrast agents.
- Quality assessment criteria are crucial for reliable ASL mapping, with artifacts needing careful consideration.
- Established ASL applications exist in neuroimaging and nephrology.
Conclusions:
- ASL perfusion MRI is a valuable non-invasive tool for assessing tissue blood flow.
- Understanding ASL principles and quality control is essential for accurate clinical interpretation.
- Encephalic and renal applications demonstrate the clinical utility of ASL.
