title: Reliable perfusion maps in stroke MRI using arterial input functions derived from distal middle cerebral artery branches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perfusion imaging is widely used in stroke, but there are uncertainties with regard to the choice of arterial input function (AIF). Two important aspects of AIFs are signal-to-noise ratio and bolus-related signal drop, ideally close to 63%. We hypothesized that distal branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) provide higher quality of AIF compared with proximal branches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a period of 3 months, consecutive patients with suspected stroke were examined in a 3-T MRI scanner within 24 hours of symptom onset. AIFs were selected manually in M1, M2, and M3 branches of the MCA contralateral to the suspected ischemia. Signal-to-noise ratio and bolus-related signal drop were analyzed. Perfusion maps were created for every patient and mean values at the insular level as well as relative ranges were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of 132 included patients (53 females) was 67.3 years (SD, 14.9) and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 0 to 6). For further analyses, 4 patients were excluded due to discontinuation of scanning or insufficient bolus arrival (signal drop <15%). Median signal-to-noise ratio was highest in M3 branches (36.41; IQR, 29.29 to 43.58). Median signal-to-noise ratio in M2 branches was intermediate (27.54; IQR, 20.78 to 34.00) and median signal-to-noise ratio in M1 was low (12.40; IQR, 9.11 to 17.15). Using AIFs derived from M1 and M2 branches of the MCA median signal drop was 77% (IQR, 72% to 82%) and 78% (IQR, 73% to 83%), respectively. Signal drop was significantly reduced when AIF was selected in M3 branches with a median of 72% (IQR, 63% to 77%; P<0.01). Highest variability of 3456 perfusion maps was found in those derived from M1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The level of AIF selection in the MCA has a major impact on reliability and even quantitative parameters of perfusion maps. For better comparison of perfusion maps, the AIF should be defined by selection of distal branches of the MCA contralateral to the suspected ischemia. In future trials involving perfusion imaging, the MCA segment used for the AIF should be specified.
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany. martin.ebinger@charite.de
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Ebinger
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Brunecker
authors: Gerhard J
authors: GJ
authors: Jungehülsing
authors: Uwe
authors: U
authors: Malzahn
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Kunze
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Endres
authors: Jochen B
authors: JB
authors: Fiebach
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*