Non-Contrast Enhanced Human Renal Perfusion Imaging Using Arterial Spin Labeling at 7T: Initial Experience

Xiufeng Li¹, Carl Snyder¹, Pierre-Francois Van de Moortele¹, Kamil Ugurbil¹, Gregory J. Metzger¹

Arterial spin labeling imaging, as a non-invasive and non-contrast enhanced approach, is very suitable for longitudinal evaluation of kidney function after transplantation, and can significantly benefit patients with renal dysfunction or other contraindications to the use of MR contrast-agent. The increased longitudinal relaxation time of the blood at ultrahigh field (UHF) can improve non-contrast enhanced perfusion imaging using ASL. To evaluate the technical challenges and potential benefits of performing renal ASL perfusion studies at UHF, the FAIR technique was implemented and used to study kidney perfusion in normal healthy controls. In this article, our initial experience and results are presented.