Pseudo-Continuous Artery-Selective Spin Labeling (Pseudo-CASSL)

Michael Helle¹, Matthias van Osch², David G. Norris³, Susanne Rfer¹, Karsten Alfke¹, Olav Jansen¹

A modified tagging scheme is proposed that combines the pseudo-continuous labeling mechanism with a rotating labeling plane to achieve selective labeling of single vessels. By employing additional gradients during the application of the RF pulses, the influence of the labeling is made local, circumventing phase effects further away from the targeted vessel and the associated risk of unwanted labeling distal to the selected artery. An increase in the tilting angle between selected artery and labeling plane results in an increased selectivity, which makes this technique capable of selectively labeling cerebral arteries.