ASL

ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling) is an MR technique using the water in arterial blood as an endogenous contrast agent to evaluate perfusion non-invasively. ASL is available as a 2D EPI sequence (ASL 2D) and as a 3D GRASE sequence (ASL 3D). ASL 2D includes inline calculation of relCBF maps for a quantitative evaluation of perfusion. ASL 3D includes inline calculation of perfusion-weighted maps for a qualitative evaluation of perfusion.

  • Acute stroke
  • Evaluation of TIA (Transient Ischemic Cerebral Attack) and chronic cerebrovascular disease
  • Degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia
  • Evaluation of brain tumors
  • Functional evaluation of the brain with BOLD techniques
  • Intervention planning

Features & Benefits

Features

  • Compatible with GRAPPA parallel acquisition technique
  • Compatible with standard 12 channel head matrix coil and 32 channel head coil
  • Option of ASL 2D and ASL 3D
  • ASL 2D is implemented with 3D PACE and inline calculation of relCBF maps for a quantitative evaluation of brain perfusion
  • ASL 3D is implemented with inline calculation of perfusion-weighted maps for a qualitative evaluation of brain perfusion

 

Additional Information
In ASL, first, arterial blood water is magnetically labeled just below the region of interest by applying a 180 degree radiofrequency (RF) inversion pulse. The result of this pulse is inversion of the net magnetization of the blood water. In other words, the water molecules within the arterial blood are labeled magnetically. After a period of time (called the transit time), the magnetically labeled water flows into the region of interest where it exchanges with tissue water. The inflowing inverted spins within the blood water alter total tissue magnetization, reducing it and, consequently, the MR signal and image intensity. During this time, an image is taken (called the tag image). The experiment is then repeated without labeling the arterial blood to create another image (called the control image). The tagstate is alternated with the control state, in which the magnetization of the arterial blood is not inverted. The control image and the tag image are subtracted to produce a perfusion image. This image will reflect the amount of arterial blood delivered to the slice within the transit time. There are mainly two techniques for ASL; PASL (Pulsed ASL) and CASL (Continuous ASL). In PASL, the RF pulse is applied in a spatially selective manner (region-specific). Consequently the inversion of the arterial blood occurs over a specific area. PASL such as ASL 2D and ASL 3D are particularly attractive for higher field strengths as other schemes such as CASL have to deal with the challenge of high Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).

General Requirements

Recommendations

32-Channel Head Coil

  • Biograph mMR
  • MAGNETOM Aera
  • MAGNETOM Espree
  • MAGNETOM Prisma
  • MAGNETOM Skyra
  • MAGNETOM Skyra eco
  • MAGNETOM Spectra
  • MAGNETOM Trio, A Tim System
  • MAGNETOM Verio
  • MAGNETOM Vida

syngo MR B15
syngo MR D11

Also available for:

MAGNETOM Prismafit

MAGNETOM Skyrafit

MAGNETOM Avantofit

 

Please Note: Additional technical pre-requisites may apply. Upon receiving your request, your local Siemens representative will clarify whether your system meets the requirements.