Danielle van Westen1, Linda Knutsson2, Esben Thade Petersen3,4, Karin Markenroth Bloch5, Freddy Sthlberg1,6, Stig Holts1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; 2Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; 3Neuroradiology, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore; 4 CFIN, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; 5Philips Medical Systems, Lund, Sweden; 6Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University , Lund, Sweden
Cerebral blood volume (CBV) in brain tumours can be used to differentiate intracranial tumour types. Measurement of CBV with dynamic susceptibility weighted imaging (DSC-MRI) requires injection of a contrast agent. As an alternative, a recently introduced, model-free arterial spin labelling technique (ASL) named QUASAR enables quantification of CBF and arterial blood volume (aBV). In this study, aBV and CBF calculated from ASL and CBV and CBF obtained from DSC-MRI were determined in three types of brain tumours. We conclude that aBV is a potential tool for characterisation of intracranial tumours, of special clinical interest since its measurement is non-invasive.