A method for assessing cerebral blood volume and inflammation in small vessel disease was piloted, employing T1 relaxometry and USPIO contrast agent. 12 stable patients with a history of minor stroke were recruited and scanned pre- and post-contrast, and at 24-30 hours. R1 increased following USPIO administration and remained elevated at 24-30 hours; apparent cerebral blood volume did not change significantly in any tissue at 24-30 hours versus post-contrast (p > 0.20). Our work demonstrates the feasibility of T1 relaxometry for quantitative assessment of USPIO distribution but larger studies are required to determine whether detectable inflammatory uptake occurs.
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