Comparison of cerebral blood volume measured by near infrared spectroscopy and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Cerebral blood volume (CBV) can be quantified by both near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim is to compare CBV results obtained by NIRS and MRI in adult patients. 10 adult patients, 6 females and 4 males, age median 24 (range 21 to 76) years, were included in this study. All needed a MRI investigation with contrast medium for clinical reasons. The NIRS instrument, the Cerebral RedOx Monitor 2020 from Critikon, quantifies cerebral haemoglobin concentration using a sensor with two receiving channels at different distances. Geometrical detector arrangements of this type enable a ratio measurement to be achieved, which reduces the contribution of the skull and skin, thus allowing quantification. Cerebral haemoglobin concentration can be converted in CBV, as the haemoglobin concentration in the blood is known. CBV can be quantified by MRI using an indicator dilution method. The method requires an injection of a paramagnetic contrast agent. The input function can be measured at the throat and thus perfusion images can be quantified. CBV was measured by NIRS just before the patient entered the magnet and after he had left it. The sensor for the NIRS measurement was applied to the patients front three times for 1 minute to each side, avoiding the sinuses. CBV was determined by contrast enhanced MRI between the NIRS measurements. The mean CBV (NIRS) was 8.6 (SD 1.3) ml/100 g and CBV (MRI) was 7.1 (SD 2.5). The correlation between CBV (NIRS) and CBV (MRI) was Pearson's correlation coefficient -0.297 (p = 0.204) respectively Spearman's rho (nonparametric) -0.266 (p = 0.257). The CBV values obtained by NIRS and MRI, even though they are in the same range, do not correlate.