The application of three-dimension arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) in ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Objective:To evaluate the application of three-dimension arterial spin labeling(3D-ASL)in observing the brain perfusion in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Methods:A total of 30 cases with acute cerebral infarction in 13 cases and with transient ischemic attack(TIA)in 17 were included in this study.All subjects underwent conventional MRI,DWI and 3D-ASL scanning.The DWI and ASL-CBF maps of all patients were observed and analyzed.The lesion area and its CBF value were measured on DWI and ASL-CBF maps in the 13 patients with cerebral infarction by using the manual method.Two independent samples t-test was used to compare the lesion area between DWI and CBF maps.Results:13patients with acute cerebral infarction showed hyperintensity on DWI maps,the infarcted area was(1026.54±295.50)mm2,and the abnormal area on ASL-CBF maps was(2901.77±415.94)mm2,and high and low perfusion were displayed in ASL maps.The abnormal area on ASL-CBF maps was significantly larger than that on the DWI maps(t=3.675,P=0.001).17 patients with transient ischemic attack had no positive findings on DWI maps,of which 12 patients showed abnormal hypoperfusion on ASL-CBF maps consistent with clinical symptoms.After treatment,the hypo-perfusion area on the ASL-CBF maps improved in two TIA patients.Conclusion:3D-ASL can comprehensively reflect the perfusion status in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease,and dynamic observation of perfusion recovery can be easily done.This gives great help to the timely clinical treatment.