Acceleration-selective arterial spin labeling for intracranial MR angiography with improved visualization of cortical arteries and suppression of cortical veins

作者：Obara Makoto^*; Togao Osamu; Yoneyama Masami; Okuaki Tomoyuki; Shibukawa Shuhei; Honda Hiroshi; Van Cauteren Marc

来源：Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2017, 77(5): 1996-2004.

DOI：10.1002/mrm.26275

• MRI
• motion-sensitized gradient
• MSG
• acceleration
• arterial spin labeling
• ASL
• intracranial
• MR angiography
• MRA

PurposeA new approach for intracranial MR angiography (MRA) is introduced, using acceleration-selective arterial spin labeling (AccASL). The aim of this study was to investigate the arterial visualization and venous suppression using AccASL.
MethodsIntracranial MRA images obtained by AccASL and time-of-flight (TOF) were compared in seven healthy volunteers and one patient with occlusion of the terminal portion of the left internal carotid artery. The volunteer images were assessed by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and white matter (WM) and between the confluence of sinuses and WM. Additionally, visualized peripheral arteries were counted and qualitative scoring of the MCA visualization and vein signal contamination was conducted.
ResultsThe CNR at the M4 branch and the number of visualized arteries was significantly higher using AccASL compared with that in TOF (P<0.05). In the qualitative comparison, the score for artery visualization was higher using AccASL (P<0.05), while minimizing signal contamination by cortical veins. Additionally, in patient examination, the collateral flow visualization was better with AccASL.
ConclusionAccASL enables better efficiency for visualizing peripheral arteries compared with TOF, while suppressing cortical vein signal. Magn Reson Med 77:1996-2004, 2017.

• 出版日期2017-5