Model-free arterial spin labelling for cerebral blood flow quantification: introduction of regional arterial input functions identified by factor analysis.
To identify regional arterial input functions (AIFs) using factor analysis of dynamic studies (FADS) when quantification of perfusion is performed using model-free arterial spin labelling.



Five healthy volunteers and one patient were examined on a 3-T Philips unit using quantitative STAR labelling of arterial regions (QUASAR). Two sets of images were retrieved, one where the arterial signal had been crushed and another where it was retained. FADS was applied to the arterial signal curves to acquire the AIFs. Perfusion maps were obtained using block-circulant SVD deconvolution and regional AIFs obtained by FADS. In the volunteers, the ASL experiment was repeated within 24 h. The patient was also examined using dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI.



In the healthy volunteers, CBF was 64+/-10 ml/[min 100 g] (mean+/-S.D.) in GM and 24+/-4 ml/[min 100 g] in WM, while the mean aBV was 0.94% in GM and 0.25% in WM.



Good CBF image quality and reasonable quantitative CBF values were obtained using the combined QUASAR/FADS technique. We conclude that FADS may be a useful supplement in the evaluation of ASL data using QUASAR.
Center for Medical Imaging and Physiology, MR Division, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. linda.knutsson@med.lu.se
Linda
L
Knutsson
Karin
K
Markenroth Bloch
Stig
S
Holtås
Ronnie
R
Wirestam
Freddy
F
Ståhlberg
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D001810:Blood Volume; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013113:Spin Labels
D013113:Spin Labels