Comparison of non-contrast magnetic resonance perfusion and phase-contrast angiography for the quantitative assessment of cerebral blood flow: a prospective cross-sectional study

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Abstract

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.

About the authors

Vladimir V. Popov

International Tomography Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: popov.v@tomo.nsc.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3082-2315
SPIN-code: 5473-0707

MD

Russian Federation, 3a Institutskaya st, unit 1, Novosibirsk, 630090; Novosibirsk

Yuliya A. Stankevich

International Tomography Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University

Email: stankevich@tomo.nsc.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7959-5160
SPIN-code: 6668-5010

MD, Cand. Sci (Medicine)

Russian Federation, 3a Institutskaya st, unit 1, Novosibirsk, 630090; Novosibirsk

Olga B. Bogomyakova

International Tomography Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University

Email: bogom_o@tomo.nsc.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8880-100X
SPIN-code: 9172-6975

MD, Cand. Sci (Medicine)

Russian Federation, 3a Institutskaya st, unit 1, Novosibirsk, 630090; Novosibirsk

Andrey A. Tulupov

International Tomography Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Novosibirsk State University

Email: taa@tomo.nsc.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1277-4113
SPIN-code: 6630-8720

MD, Dr. Sci (Medicine), Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Russian Federation, 3a Institutskaya st, unit 1, Novosibirsk, 630090; Novosibirsk

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2. Fig. 1. Correlation of total cerebral perfusion parameters according to non-contrast perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and phase-contrast angiography (r=0.839, p<0.001). Histograms above and on the right show the distribution of the number of observations of cerebral perfusion values ​​CBF-ASL and CBF-FCA, respectively. FCA — phase-contrast angiography; ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling); CBF (Cerebral Blood Flow) — total cerebral perfusion.

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3. Fig. 2. Distribution of the difference in cerebral perfusion values ​​according to non-contrast perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and phase-contrast angiography. PCA — phase-contrast angiography; ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling); CBF (Cerebral Blood Flow) — total cerebral perfusion.

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4. Fig. 3. Correlation of age and the difference in cerebral perfusion values ​​according to non-contrast perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and phase-contrast angiography (r=−0.300, p=0.007). PCA – phase-contrast angiography; ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling); CBF (Cerebral Blood Flow) – total cerebral perfusion.

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5. Fig. 4. Correlation of brain volume and the difference in cerebral perfusion values ​​according to non-contrast perfusion magnetic resonance imaging and phase-contrast angiography (r=0.300, p=0.007). FCA — phase-contrast angiography; ASL (Arterial Spin Labeling); CBF (Cerebral Blood Flow) — total cerebral perfusion.

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