Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantification of Pulmonary Perfusion using Calibrated Arterial Spin Labeling
Published on: May 30, 2011
DSC Perfusion MRI Artefact Reduction Strategies: A Short Overview for Clinicians and Scientific Applications
Chris W J van der Weijden1,2, Ingomar W Gutmann3, Joost F Somsen1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
MRI perfusion is used to diagnose and monitor neurological conditions such as brain tumors, stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury. Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast (DSC) is the most widely available quantitative MRI technique for perfusion imaging. Even in its most basic implementation, DSC MRI provides critical hemodynamic metrics like cerebral blood flow (CBF), blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), and time between the peak of arterial input and residue function (Tmax), through the dynamic tracking of a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Notwithstanding its high clinical importance and widespread use, the reproducibility and diagnostic reliability are impeded by a lack of standardized pre-processing protocols and quality controls. A comprehensive literature review and the authors' aggregated experience identified common DSC MRI artefacts and corresponding pre-processing methods. Pre-processing methods to correct for artefacts were evaluated for their practical applicability and validation status. A consensus on the pre-processing was established by a multidisciplinary team of experts. Acquisition-related artefacts include geometric distortions, slice timing misalignment, and physiological noise. Intrinsic artefacts include motion, B1 inhomogeneities, Gibbs ringing, and noise. Motion can be mitigated using rigid-body alignment, but methods for addressing B1 inhomogeneities, Gibbs ringing, and noise remain underexplored for DSC MRI. Pre-processing of DSC MRI is critical for reliable diagnostics and research. While robust methods exist for correcting geometric distortions, motion, and slice timing issues, further validation is needed for methods addressing B1 inhomogeneities, Gibbs ringing, and noise. Implementing adequate mitigation methods for these artefacts could enhance reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy, supporting the growing reliance on DSC MRI in neurological imaging. Finally, we emphasize the crucial importance of pre-scan quality assurance with phantom scans.
Insights
Standardizing Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast (DSC) MRI pre-processing is crucial for accurate neurological diagnoses. Addressing common artefacts like motion and B1 inhomogeneities enhances the reliability of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and other key metrics.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
Background:
- Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast (DSC) MRI is vital for diagnosing neurological conditions like stroke and brain tumors.
- DSC MRI provides critical hemodynamic metrics (CBF, CBV, MTT, Tmax) but suffers from reproducibility issues.
- Lack of standardized pre-processing and quality control protocols hinders DSC MRI's diagnostic reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify common DSC MRI artefacts and evaluate pre-processing methods for their correction.
- To establish expert consensus on DSC MRI pre-processing protocols.
- To highlight areas needing further research in DSC MRI artefact mitigation.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of DSC MRI artefacts and pre-processing techniques.
- Evaluation of the practical applicability and validation status of identified pre-processing methods.
- Multidisciplinary expert consensus-building on pre-processing strategies.
Main Results:
- Common artefacts include geometric distortions, slice timing misalignment, physiological noise, motion, B1 inhomogeneities, Gibbs ringing, and noise.
- Robust methods exist for correcting geometric distortions, motion, and slice timing.
- Methods for B1 inhomogeneities, Gibbs ringing, and noise require further validation for DSC MRI.
Conclusions:
- Standardized DSC MRI pre-processing is essential for reliable neurological diagnostics and research.
- Further validation of artefact correction methods, especially for B1 inhomogeneities, Gibbs ringing, and noise, is needed.
- Implementing effective pre-processing and quality assurance (e.g., phantom scans) will improve DSC MRI reproducibility and accuracy.
