Improved method for noninvasive measurement of regional cerebral blood flow by 133Xenon inhalation. Part I: description of method and normal values obtained in healthy volunteers.

A clinical method for noninvasive measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and blood volume (rCBV) is described, based on Obrist's 10 minute, desaturation method after 1 minute inhalation of 133Xe. Sixteen collimated probes are placed over both hemispheres and brain stem-cerebellar regions. End-tidal 133Xe curves are used for correction of recirculation. KEV discriminators are set to record gamma and x-ray activity separately. Values are printed out automatically by a computer on a brain map. Extracerebral contamination is reduced by 1) computing curves from gamma activity, 2) applying pressure on the scalp beneath the probes, 3) 1 minute inhalation of 133Xe and recording desaturation curves for 10 minutes, thereby minimizing slow clearance from extracranial tissues. Normal values for both fast and slow compartments are reproducible and are in good agreement with the carotid injection method. The speech dominant hemishpere has higher flow than the right under conditions described. Posterior portions of the cranium over the cerebellum and brain stem appear to have higher flow gray values than the cerebral cortex. Gray matter flow decreases with advancing age.