Arterial spin labeling in clinical pediatric imaging

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Medical Physics
• Pediatric Radiology

Background:

• Arterial spin labeling (ASL) offers non-invasive quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement.
• It avoids contrast agents and radiation, crucial for pediatric imaging.
• Existing challenges in neonates include small brain size and lower perfusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and illustrate the clinical applications of ASL in pediatric patients.
• To discuss emerging uses of ASL for assessing cerebral perfusion in children.
• To highlight the convenience of ASL sequence implementation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical case examples.
• Focus on ASL perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging techniques.
• Discussion of ASL's utility in pediatric populations, including neonates.

Main Results:

• ASL is the sole non-invasive method for direct quantitative CBF measurement.
• ASL demonstrates promise for pediatric cerebral blood flow assessment.
• Despite limitations in neonates, ASL's application is expanding.

Conclusions:

• ASL is a valuable tool for non-invasive pediatric brain perfusion imaging.
• Its convenient implementation facilitates broader clinical use in children.
• Further applications in pediatric cerebral perfusion are anticipated.