ASL SEQUENCE
3D ASL enables you to consistently quantify brain perfusion with an accuracy of 15%¹ in a non-contrast manner with full brain coverage, and better background suppression². Automated calculation of color coded ASL maps is included.
Arterial spin labelling (ASL) MR perfusion is an MR perfusion technique which does not require intravenous administration of contrast (unlike DSC perfusion and DCE perfusion). Instead it exploits the ability of MRI to magnetically label arterial blood below the imaging slab. The parameter most commonly derived is cerebral blood flow (CBF). It is a non-invasive and non-ionising MRI technique that measures tissue perfusion (blood flow), by using magnetically-labelled arterial blood water protons as an endogenous tracer.
ASL is a very suitable technique to use paediatrics, in
which the use of radioactive tracers may be restricted. It is also safe to use
in patients with impaired renal function and those who may need serial follow
up.
A number of techniques have been described to achieve ASL
perfusion, classified based on the magnetic labelling process:
- pulsed (PASL)
- continuous (CASL)
- pseudocontinuous (PCASL)
- velocity-selective ASL (VS-ASL)
Clinical applications
- Cerebrovascular stroke
- Vascular malformation
- Encephalitis
- Migraine-associated hyperperfusion
- Dementia and cognitive disorders
