Cerebral hemodynamics and cerebral blood volume: MR assessment using gadolinium contrast agents and T1-weighted Turbo-FLASH imaging

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the degree and regional pattern of first-pass brain enhancement using dynamic MR imaging.

Materials and methods: Ultrafast MR imaging (1.06-second acquisition time per image) was performed in 19 healthy subjects following a bolus IV injection of a gadolinium contrast agent; 36 patients with suspected pathology were studied using the same protocol.

Results: Calculated percent blood volumes were 4.9% for right cortical gray matter, 4.8% for left cortical gray matter, and 2.6% for white matter. Subtraction images were obtained that depicted the first pass "blood pool" pattern of enhancement (gray and white matter) which was significant.

Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests utility for cerebral "blood pool" imaging, especially if reduced image acquisition times can be achieved.