FAIR true-FISP perfusion imaging of the thyroid gland.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of quantitative perfusion MRI of the thyroid gland using an arterial spin labeling (ASL) method.


METHODS
An ASL technique with flow-sensitive alternating inversion-recovery (FAIR) spin preparation and a true fast imaging in the steady state (TrueFISP) signal readout strategy was implemented on a 1.5T whole-body unit. Anatomical and perfusion imaging of the thyroid gland was performed in eight healthy volunteers and one patient with functioning adenoma. Quantitative perfusion maps were calculated using the extended Bloch equations.


RESULTS
In all subjects the perfusion images showed diagnostic image quality. The mean examination time was 24 minutes for multiplanar perfusion imaging of the entire thyroid gland. Individual perfusion values ranged between 341 +/- 91 and 640 +/- 90 mL/100 g/minute, with a mean perfusion of 461 +/- 90 mL/100 g/minute. The functioning adenoma showed markedly reduced perfusion compared to normal thyroidal parenchyma. No perfusion was noticeable inside four detected thyroid cysts.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative ASL perfusion imaging of the thyroid gland using a FAIR-TrueFISP sequence leads to perfusion maps that may provide important information for assessing thyroid gland pathologies and monitoring therapeutic treatment.
Section on Experimental Radiology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany. christina.schraml@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Christina
C
Schraml
Andreas
A
Boss
Petros
P
Martirosian
Nina F
NF
Schwenzer
Claus D
CD
Claussen
Fritz
F
Schick
D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013113:Spin Labels; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis
D013113:Spin Labels