Perfusion MRI for brain tumors

Purpose : To compare data on brain tumors derived from intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging with multiple parameters obtained on dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MRI and to clarify the characteristics of IVIM and ASL perfusion data from the viewpoint of cerebral blood flow (CBF) analysis. Methods : ASL-CBF and IVIM techniques as well as DSC examination were performed in 24 patients with brain tumors. The IVIM data were analyzed with the two models. The relative blood flow (rBF), relative blood volume (rBV) corrected relative blood volume (crBV), mean transit time (MTT), and leakage coefficient (K2) were obtained from the DSC MRI data. Results : The ASL-CBF had the same tendency as the perfusion parameters derived from the DSC data, but the permeability from the vessels had less of an effect on the ASL-CBF. The diffusion coefficient of the fast component on IVIM contained more information on permeability than the f value. Conclusion : ASL-CBF is more suitable for the evaluation of perfusion in brain tumors than IVIM parameters. ASL-CBF and IVIM techniques should be carefully selected and the biological significance of each parameter should be understood for the correct comprehension of the pathological status of brain tumors