Dynamic hysteresis between gradient echo and spin echo attenuations in dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging

Perfusion measurements using dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging provide additional information about the mean vessel size of microvasculature when supplemented with a dual gradient echo (GE) – spin echo (SE) contrast. Dynamic increase in the corresponding transverse relaxation rate constant changes, ΔR_2GE and ΔR_2SE, forms a loop on the (Δ, ΔR_2GE) plane, rather than a reversible line. The shape of the loop and the direction of its passage differentiate between healthy brain and pathological tissue, such as tumour and ischemic tissue. By considering a tree model of microvasculature, the direction of the loop is found to be influenced mainly by the relative arterial and venous blood volume, as well as the tracer bolus dispersion. A parameter Λ is proposed to characterize the direction and shape of the loop, which might be considered as a novel imaging marker for describing the pathology of cerebrovascular network. Magn Reson Med 69:981–991, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.