Modeling magnetization transfer effects of Q2TIPS bolus saturation in multi-TI pulsed arterial spin labeling.

PURPOSE

To estimate the relaxation time changes during Q2TIPS bolus saturation caused by magnetization transfer effects and to propose and evaluate an extended model for perfusion quantification which takes this into account.

METHOD

Three multi inversion-time pulsed arterial spin labeling sequences with different bolus saturation duration were acquired for five healthy volunteers. Magnetization transfer exchange rates in tissue and blood were obtained from control image saturation recovery. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) obtained using the extended model and the standard model was compared.

RESULTS

A decrease of obtained CBF of 6% (10%) was observed in grey matter when the duration of bolus saturation increased from 600 to 900 ms (1200 ms). This decrease was reduced to 1.6% (2.8%) when the extended quantification model was used. Compared with the extended model, the standard model underestimated CBF in grey matter by 9.7, 15.0, and 18.7% for saturation durations 600, 900, and 1200 ms, respectively. Results for simulated single inversion-time data showed 5-16% CBF underestimation depending on blood arrival time and bolus saturation duration.

CONCLUSION

Magnetization transfer effects caused by bolus saturation pulses should not be ignored when performing quantification as they can cause appreciable underestimation of the CBF.