Arterial Spin Labeling in Pediatric Neuroimaging

Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2020 Apr:33:100799. doi: 10.1016/j.spen.2020.100799. Epub 2020 Jan 20.

Abstract

Perfusion imaging using arterial spin labeling noninvasively evaluates cerebral blood flow utilizing arterial blood water as endogenous tracer. It does not require the need of radiotracer or intravenous contrast and offers unique complimentary information in the imaging of pediatric brain. Common clinical applications include neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, pediatric stroke and vascular malformations, epilepsy and brain tumors. Future applications may include evaluation of silent ischemia in sickle cell patients, monitor changes in intracranial pressure in hydrocephalus, provide additional insights in nonaccidental trauma and chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in functional Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the technical considerations including pitfalls, physiological variations, clinical applications and future directions of arterial spin labeling imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation* / physiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography* / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography* / standards
  • Neuroimaging* / methods
  • Neuroimaging* / standards
  • Spin Labels*

Substances

  • Spin Labels