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Whole‐brain 3D perfusion MRI at 3.0 T using CASL with a separate labeling coil
Author(s) -
Talagala S. Lalith,
Ye Frank Q.,
Ledden Patrick J.,
Chesnick Scott
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.20124
Subject(s) - signal (programming language) , computer science , electromagnetic coil , perfusion scanning , magnetization transfer , perfusion , arterial spin labeling , magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance , biomedical engineering , radiology , physics , medicine , quantum mechanics , programming language
A variety of continuous and pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI techniques have been demonstrated in recent years. One of the reasons these methods are still not routinely used is the limited extent of the imaging region. Of the ASL methods proposed to date, continuous ASL (CASL) with a separate labeling coil is particularly attractive for whole‐brain studies at high fields. This approach can provide an increased signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in perfusion images because there are no magnetization transfer (MT) effects, and lessen concerns regarding RF power deposition at high field because it uses a local labeling coil. In this work, we demonstrate CASL whole‐brain quantitative perfusion imaging at 3.0 T using a combination of strategies: 3D volume acquisition, background tissue signal suppression, and a separate labeling coil. The results show that this approach can be used to acquire perfusion images in all brain regions with good sensitivity. Further, it is shown that the method can be performed safely on humans without exceeding the current RF power deposition limits. The current method can be extended to higher fields, and further improved by the use of multiple receiver coils and parallel imaging techniques to reduce scan time or provide increased resolution. Magn Reson Med 52:131–140, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.