Comparative overview of brain perfusion imaging techniques

• Published in: Stroke (1970) Vol. 36; no. 9; pp. e83 - e99
• Main Authors: Wintermark, Max, Sesay, Musa, Barbier, Emmanuel, Borbély, Katalin, Dillon, William P, Eastwood, James D, Glenn, Thomas C, Grandin, Cécile B, Pedraza, Salvador, Soustiel, Jean-François, Nariai, Tadashi, Zaharchuk, Greg, Caillé, Jean-Marie, Dousset, Vincent, Yonas, Howard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Aged; Brain - blood supply; Brain - pathology; Calibration; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Contrast Media - pharmacology; Female; Hemodynamics; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Angiography - methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Positron-Emission Tomography - instrumentation; Positron-Emission Tomography - methods; Spin Labels; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon - instrumentation; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon - methods; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - instrumentation; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Ultrasonography, Doppler - instrumentation; Ultrasonography, Doppler - methods; Xenon - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/01.str.0000177884.72657.8b

Numerous imaging techniques have been developed and applied to evaluate brain hemodynamics. Among these are positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, Xenon-enhanced computed tomography, dynamic perfusion computed tomography, MRI dynamic susceptibility contrast, arterial spin labeling, and Doppler ultrasound. These techniques give similar information about brain hemodynamics in the form of parameters such as cerebral blood flow or cerebral blood volume. All of them are used to characterize the same types of pathological conditions. However, each technique has its own advantages and drawbacks. This article addresses the main imaging techniques dedicated to brain hemodynamics. It represents a comparative overview established by consensus among specialists of the various techniques. For clinicians, this article should offer a clearer picture of the pros and cons of currently available brain perfusion imaging techniques and assist them in choosing the proper method for every specific clinical setting.