The acetazolamide challenge: imaging techniques designed to evaluate cerebral blood flow reserve.
Cerebral blood flow was analyzed by the stable xenon (Xe)/CT scanning technique in 29 patients with significant vascular lesions before and after administration of an acetazolamide (Diamox) vasodilatory challenge. Three response types were identified: I, normal flow before Diamox with flow augmentation after Diamox; II, low flow before Diamox with flow augmentation after Diamox; and III, low or normal flow before Diamox with no augmentation or decreased flow after Diamox. Twenty-four percent of the patients studied qualified for category III. We believe that patients in this category represent a group of individuals without blood flow reserve whose clinical management should include careful consideration of their hemodynamic status. The Xe/CT scanning technique with the addition of Diamox flow challenge is a clinically accessible and effective method for assessing cerebral blood flow and blood flow reserve.
Department of Radiology, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02902.
J
J
Rogg
M
M
Rutigliano
H
H
Yonas
D W
DW
Johnson
S
S
Pentheny
R E
RE
Latchaw
D000086:Acetazolamide; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014978:Xenon
D014978:Xenon; D000086:Acetazolamide