MRI perfusion: DSC, DCE and ASL compared
Three ways of measuring blood flow in tissue, two with contrast and one without. This is what each needs from the technologist.
Perfusion (DSC, DCE, ASL)
DSC: signal drops as a contrast bolus passes (T2*). DCE: signal rises on T1. ASL: the patient's own blood is magnetically labelled, no contrast.
Stroke penumbra, tumour grade, recurrence versus treatment effect.
DSC needs a fast injection through a good cannula and a baseline before the bolus arrives.
This page is one entry from the MRI Technologist Reference
The full reference has 31 protocols, 9 dynamic study timelines, 19 artifacts, 16 scanner problems and 15 safety topics, as a PDF in English and Arabic plus an interactive tool.
Educational reference. It does not replace your site protocols, the radiologist's instructions, the MR safety officer, or the manufacturer's instructions for any implant, device or contrast agent. Parameter values are typical starting points at 1.5 T and must be adapted to the scanner, coil and patient.