Continuous Arterial Spin labeling (CASL) and Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Imaging (DSC) at 3.0 T for cerebral perfusion analysis

Purpose: Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI is an established technique for the assessment of cerebral perfusion. Arterial Spin labeling as an alternative to DSC uses magnetized protons (labeled) as an endogenous tracer. The technique has not been established in clinical routine because of time consuming acquisition and low reproducibility at 1.5T. With the longer T1 and the higher SNR at 3 Tesla, a re-evaluation of CASL in clinical practice in comparison to DSC seemed necessary. Material and Methods: Intraindividual trial in 25 patients at a 3 Tesla clinical whole body system (Intera 3.0T, Philips Medica…