Patch-based super-resolution of arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance images

Abstract

Arterial spin labeling is a magnetic resonance perfusion imaging technique that, while providing results comparable to methods currently considered as more standard concerning the quantification of the cerebral blood flow, is subject to limitations related to its low signal-to-noise ratio and low resolution. In this work, we investigate the relevance of using a non-local patch-based super-resolution method driven by a high resolution structural image to increase the level of details in arterial spin labeling images. This method is evaluated by comparison with other image dimension increasing techniques on a simulated dataset, on images of healthy subjects and on images of subjects scanned for brain tumors, who had a dynamic susceptibility contrast acquisition. The influence of an increase of ASL images resolution on partial volume effects is also investigated in this work.

Keywords: Arterial spin labeling; Denoising; MRI; Partial volume effects; Super-resolution.