Perfusion Measurements of the Brain

Abstract

Perfusion imaging of the brain encompasses a broad range of imaging modalities, involving invasive and noninvasive techniques, employing endogenous and exogenous tracer that emit nonionizing or ionizing radiation. Each of these examinations bears its own risks and provides specific benefits, and appropriate medical knowledge is required to select the correct test for each of the specific clinical settings. In this chapter, we shall provide a review of this technology and discuss nuclear perfusion techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); perfusion computed tomography (PCT); MR perfusion techniques such as dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, and arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI; and transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound.