Selective Arterial Spin Labeling: Techniques and Neurovascular Applications

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cerebrovascular diseases necessitate understanding blood flow distribution to brain-feeding arteries.
• Anatomical variations and disease-related changes cause significant variability in brain blood supply.
• Accurate assessment of cerebral perfusion territories is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review methods for determining brain artery flow territories.
• To provide an overview of territorial arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
• To highlight the clinical utility of ASL MRI in evaluating cerebrovascular conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing methodologies for mapping cerebral perfusion.
• Detailed overview of various selective arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI techniques developed over the last two decades.
• Explanation of ASL's principle using arterial blood as an endogenous contrast agent via magnetic labeling.

Main Results:

• Selective ASL MRI methods can visualize individual brain feeding artery perfusion territories.
• These techniques allow for the determination of collateral blood flow pathways.
• ASL MRI provides noninvasive visualization of cerebral blood flow.

Conclusions:

• Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI is a valuable noninvasive tool for assessing brain perfusion territories.
• Selective ASL MRI methods can identify collateral pathways and monitor bypass patency.
• ASL MRI may offer a less invasive alternative to catheter angiography for evaluating cerebrovascular diseases.