Comparison of non-contrast magnetic resonance perfusion and phase-contrast angiography for the quantitative assessment of cerebral blood flow: a prospective cross-sectional study
摘要
BACKGROUND: The validation of quantitative cerebral blood flow assessment using non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging remains unresolved. The optimal approach involves applying a method based on a different physiological model to enhance the reliability of the obtained data. AIM: To verify the results of quantitative cerebral tissue blood flow assessment using non-contrast MRI against quantitative 2D phase-contrast angiography in healthy adults. METHODS: The prospective study enrolled healthy adults (aged 18–75 years). Cerebral perfusion was assessed using non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging, while macrovascular blood flow was measured in the vertebral and internal carotid arteries using quantitative 2D phase-contrast angiography. Brain volume and relative mass were evaluated based on T1-weighted image segmentation. Macrovascular blood flow values were converted into tissue perfusion metrics through mathematical adjustment accounting for brain mass. RESULTS: In the study 80 adults were examined using both methods. Non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging revealed mean perfusion values of 17.88 ± 2.39 mL/100g/min in white matter and 42.06 ± 7.13 mL/100g/min in gray matter, with total cerebral perfusion at 59.63 ± 8.56 mL/100g/min. Total cerebral perfusion calculated from phase-contrast angiography and arterial blood flow velocity was 58.96 ± 8.16 mL/s. A strong positive correlation was found between total cerebral perfusion values derived from non-contrast magnetic-resonance and phase-contrast angiography (r = 0.892; p 0.001). CONCLUSION: A strong positive correlation was demonstrated between cerebral perfusion values obtained via non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging and phase-contrast angiography, despite their reliance on distinct physiological models.