ISMRM 24th Annual Meeting & Exhibition • 07-13 May 2016 • Singapore

Weekend Educational Course: The Basics of Perfusion & Permeability Imaging

Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Organizers: Linda Knutsson, Ph.D. & Steven Sourbron, Ph.D.

Sunday 08 May 2016

Overview
This half-day, intermediate course is designed for scientists and clinicians who want to learn about MR imaging of perfusion and related parameters. The course will begin with a description of the physiology of perfusion and tracer-kinetic measurements, followed by the theory and methodology of the main classes of perfusion imaging techniques (dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, and arterial spin labeling). The complementary nature of techniques will be emphasized and illustrated using concrete clinical examples.

Target Audience
This course is designed for basic research scientists and clinicians. It is expected to provide attendees with an understanding of fundamental as well as practical aspects of perfusion MRI, and a solid background upon which to base decisions about choice of perfusion imaging methods for their own applications.

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  • Define and understand the relationships between perfusion and related parameters such as transit times, blood volume, capillary permeability, and interstitial volume;
  • Describe the basic principles and assumptions underlying common tracer-kinetic analysis models for perfusion and permeability measurement;
  • Describe the basic principles of arterial spin labeling, dynamic susceptibility contrast, and dynamic contrast enhancement;
  • Assess which parameters each of the above methods are inherently sensitive to and why;
  • Describe the key issues in the extraction of physiological parameters from ASL, DSC, and DCE data; and
  • Identify applications for which each of the above methods are well suited.

PROGRAM
Moderator: Ganesh Adluru, Andre Ahlgren
08:00
 
The Physiology of Perfusion & Permeability
Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng1
1Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
This talk provides an overview of several different parameters that are associated with microvascular physiology, such as perfusion, transit time, and capillary permeability.  Their biological meaning is explored, as well as their relevance in the context of various disease settings. Finally, the three main MRI techniques for measuring microvascular physiology (DCE-MRI, DSC-MRI, and ASL) are briefly introduced in relation to the parameters they are capable of measuring.

 
08:35
 
Tracer-Kinetic Analysis
Dennis Lai-Hong Cheong1
1Clinical Imaging Research Centre, A*STAR-NUS, Singapore
This lecture explains the basic principles in tracer-kinetic analysis, assumptions underlying tracer-kinetic analysis models, and limitations and issues in the implementation of these models for perfusion and permeability measurements.

 
09:10
 
Break & Meet the Teachers
09:20
 
Contrast Agent Methods - Data Acquisition
Chad Quarles1
1Imaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States
The goal of this lecture is to describe optimal DSC- and DCE-MRI data acquisition techniques and how pulse sequences can be designed to leverage the underlying contrast mechanisms in order to assess unique and complementary biological features.  

 
09:55
 
Contrast Agent Methods - Post-Processing
Geoff JM Parker1
1Imaging Sciences, The University of Manchester and Bioxydyn Limited, Manchester, United Kingdom
This presentation will cover key steps involved in processing dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI) data to extract useful information. In addition to key methods for understanding the time course signals, methods for reducing the impact of motion and artefacts will be considered. Examples will be given in a range of organs and diseases.

 
10:30
 
Break & Meet the Teachers
10:40
 
ASL - Data Acquisition
Jun Hua
In this talk, we will discuss the following aspects regarding ASL – Data acquisition.

A.     Basic principles

B.     Labeling schemes

        1.     Pulsed ASL

                a)     STAR and variants

                b)     FAIR and variants

        2.     Continuous ASL

        3.     Velocity selective ASL

C.    Background suppression

D.    Readout options

E.     Advanced methods to combine ASL with other measurements


 
11:15
 
ASL- Post-Processing
Craig H. Meyer1 and Li Zhao2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States, 2Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
This educational talk will review the current status of ASL post processing methods.  Based on reasonable assumptions, established ASL post-processing methods enable robust quantitative perfusion maps. Extensions of these post-processing methods address potential issues with ASL and enable new capabilities, including dynamic ASL.  

 
11:50
 
Adjournment & Meet the Teachers
         
 

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.