Comparison of first-pass Gd-DOTA and FAIRER MR perfusion imaging in a rabbit model of pulmonary embolism.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arterial spin labeling to perfusion deficits in the lung.


METHODS
A rabbit model of pulmonary embolism was imaged with both flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery with an extra radiofrequency pulse (FAIRER) arterial spin labeling and Gd-DOTA enhanced MRI. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the area of the perfusion deficit and the normal lung for both techniques.


RESULTS
The defect was readily visible in all images. The normal lung had an average of 3.8 +/- 1.2 times the SNR of the unperfused lung with the arterial spin labeling technique, and approximately 13.7 +/- 3.3 times the SNR with the contrast-enhanced technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Gd-DOTA enhanced MRI provides higher SNR in pulmonary perfusion imaging; however, arterial spin labeling is also adequate and may be used when repeated studies are indicated.
Engineering Physics Program, School of Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0170, USA.
Shella D
SD
Keilholz
Vu M
VM
Mai
Stuart S
SS
Berr
Naomi
N
Fujiwara
Klaus D
KD
Hagspiel
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011817:Rabbits; D013113:Spin Labels
D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013113:Spin Labels; C050823:gadolinium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetate