Overview
This half-day, intermediate course is designed for scientists and clinicians who want to learn about MR imaging of perfusion and related parameters. The course will begin with a description of the physiology of perfusion and tracer-kinetic measurements, followed by the theory and methodology of the main classes of perfusion imaging techniques (dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, and arterial spin labeling). The complementary nature of techniques will be emphasized and illustrated using concrete clinical examples.
Target Audience
This course is designed for basic research scientists and clinicians. It is expected to provide attendees with an understanding of fundamental as well as practical aspects of perfusion MRI, and a solid background upon which to base decisions about choice of perfusion imaging methods for their own applications.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Define and understand the relationships between perfusion and related parameters such as transit times, blood volume, capillary permeability, and interstitial volume;
- Describe the basic principles and assumptions underlying common tracer-kinetic analysis models for perfusion and permeability measurement;
- Describe the basic principles of arterial spin labeling, dynamic susceptibility contrast, and dynamic contrast enhancement;
- Assess which parameters each of the above methods are inherently sensitive to and why;
- Describe the key issues in the extraction of physiological parameters from ASL, DSC, and DCE data; and
- Identify applications for which each of the above methods are well suited.
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08:00
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The Physiology of Perfusion & Permeability 
Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng1
1Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical
Engineering, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of
Electrical & Computer Engineering, Ted Rogers Centre for
Heart Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
This talk provides an overview of several different
parameters that are associated with microvascular
physiology, such as perfusion, transit time, and
capillary permeability. Their biological meaning is
explored, as well as their relevance in the context of
various disease settings. Finally, the three main MRI
techniques for measuring microvascular physiology (DCE-MRI,
DSC-MRI, and ASL) are briefly introduced in relation to
the parameters they are capable of measuring.
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08:35
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Tracer-Kinetic Analysis
Dennis Lai-Hong Cheong1
1Clinical Imaging Research Centre, A*STAR-NUS,
Singapore
This lecture explains the basic principles in
tracer-kinetic analysis, assumptions underlying
tracer-kinetic analysis models, and limitations and
issues in the implementation of these models for
perfusion and permeability measurements.
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09:10
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Break & Meet the Teachers |
09:20
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Contrast Agent Methods - Data Acquisition
Chad Quarles1
1Imaging Research, Barrow Neurological
Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
The goal of this lecture is to describe optimal DSC- and
DCE-MRI data acquisition techniques and how pulse
sequences can be designed to leverage the underlying
contrast mechanisms in order to assess unique and
complementary biological features.
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09:55
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Contrast Agent Methods - Post-Processing
Geoff JM Parker1
1Imaging Sciences, The University of
Manchester and Bioxydyn Limited, Manchester, United
Kingdom
This presentation will cover key steps involved in
processing dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and
dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI) data to
extract useful information. In addition to key methods
for understanding the time course signals, methods for
reducing the impact of motion and artefacts will be
considered. Examples will be given in a range of organs
and diseases.
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10:30
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Break & Meet the Teachers |
10:40
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ASL - Data Acquisition
Jun Hua
In this talk, we will discuss the following aspects
regarding ASL – Data acquisition. A. Basic
principles
B. Labeling schemes
1. Pulsed ASL
a) STAR and variants
b) FAIR and variants
2. Continuous ASL
3. Velocity selective ASL
C. Background suppression
D. Readout options
E. Advanced methods to combine ASL with other
measurements
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11:15
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ASL- Post-Processing
Craig H. Meyer1 and
Li Zhao2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United
States, 2Department
of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center,
Boston, MA, United States
This educational talk will review the current status of
ASL post processing methods. Based on reasonable
assumptions, established ASL post-processing methods
enable robust quantitative perfusion maps. Extensions of
these post-processing methods address potential issues
with ASL and enable new capabilities, including dynamic
ASL.
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11:50
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Adjournment & Meet the
Teachers |
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