Effect of multi-parameter three-dimension arterial spin labeling in diagnosis of transient ischemic attack

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the application of multi-parameter three-dimension arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) in observing the brain perfusion of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods A total of 42 TIA patients, admitted to our hospital from July 2014 to March 2017, were included in this study. All subjects underwent conventional MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and 3D-ASL scanning. Abnormal signals, and cerebral arterial stenosis or occlusion were observed under MRI, DWI and MRA; cerebral blood flow (CBF) map was drew after analyzing the 3D-ASL imaging, and abnormal reperfusion of ASL-CBF was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The detection rate of abnormal reperfusion in TIA patients by 3D-ASL (PLD=1.5 s, PLD=2.5 s) and MRA were compared. Results Forty-two TIA patients showed no positive findings on conventional MRI and DWI maps, of which 18 patients showed different degrees of cerebral artery stenosis on MRA maps. Twenty-seven patients (PLD=1.5 s, 64.29%) and 21 (PLD=2.5 s, 50%) on ASL-CBF maps showed different sizes and degrees of abnormal hypoperfusion, and significant difference was found in detection rate of hypoperfusion by 3D-ASL (PLD=1.5 s and PLD=2.5 s, χ2=23.333, P=0.000). The detection rates of hypoperfusion by 3D-ASL (PLD=1.5 s and PLD=2.5 s) were significantly higher than that by MRA (χ2=17.500, P=0.000; χ2=31.500, P=0.000). Conclusions The 3D-ASL can quantitatively analyze the degrees of perfusion of patients with TIA. 3D-ASL can comprehensively reflect the perfusion status in patients with TIA, and short PLD 3D-ASL is more sensitive than long PLD ASL in finding TIA, while long PLD 3D-ASL can reflect the perfusion status more truly. Key words: Arterial spin labeling imaging; Cerebral perfusion; Diffusion weighted imaging; Magnetic resonance angiography; Transient ischemic attack; Post labeling delay time