This segment of the course will introduce the audience to the main varieties of arterial spin labeling schemes, as well as the practical considerations and options for image readouts. The technical details and practical considerations for implementation will be discussed from an engineering point of view.
In this lecture, we will review the motivation for perfusion imaging and discuss key concepts in the measurement of flow and perfusion. We will discuss different types of labeling schemes and how they affect the tracer kinetics of the measurement. These schemes include pulsed, continuous, velocity selective, and vessel selective arterial spin labeling schemes. We will discuss the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each of these. In the process, we will also discuss the concepts of bolus arrival time, arterial blood volume and the post-labeling delay.
Following this discussion of labeling schemes, we will consider the issues and limits that affect arterial spin labeling techniques. With those in mind, we will discuss the different options available for image read-out. These include 2D, 3D, radial and spiral techniques. Lastly, we will consider multiple delay, fingerprinting, and FMRI time series measurements.