Abstract #3559

Vonken E, van Osch M, Calamante F

Bolus-tracking perfusion MRI monitors changes in the transverse relaxation rate during the first pass of a bolus of contrast agent. Most studies employ a single echo sequence to maximize coverage. However, the underlying assumption of single echo sequences is that T1-effects of the contrast agent are negligible. By means of simulations and in vivo measurements we show that T1-effects can lead to serious overestimation of CBF and CBV. A sufficiently low flip angle should therefore be used for single echo sequences.