5940 spin labeling mri with look-locker readout for improved portal venous perfusion quantification

PURPOSE: Spin labeling (SL) MRI is a non-invasive technique for perfusion evaluation. A few studies address SL-MRI of the liver with promising results. Both pulsed [1-4] and continuous [5] labeling techniques have been applied using single time point readout [1-3,5]. With single time point readout the bolus arrival time needs to be estimated for perfusion quantification and is therefore assumed equal over the liver. Multiple time point Look-Locker (LL) readout has only been explored in mice [4]. The advantage of the LL readout is determination of local bolus arrival time and consequently potential improvement of the perfusion quantification. We evaluated differences in bolus arrival times throughout the liver using SL-MRI with LL readout. We investigated the feasibility of portal venous perfusion quantification and compared pulsed and pseudo-continuous labeling strategies.