Technical evaluation of the measurement of cerebral blood volume by intra-arterial injection of contrast medium and visualization of color-coded digital subtraction angiography images using an angiographic C-arm system

Abstract

Objective: We present a new technique for measurement of cerebral blood volume (Neuro PBV) and visualization of the colorcoded digital subtraction image (iFlow) using a Carm flat detector angiographic system.
Techniques: The Neuro PBV data acquisition protocol consists of 2 rotations: an initial rotation (mask run) followed by a second rotation after injection of the appropriate contrast medium (fill run). The iFlow was performed with a routinely used digital subtraction angiography method using the following parameters: 15 frames/s, 15 s of data acquisition. The data acquired with the Neuro PBV technique and iFlow techniques were loaded on a workstation to evaluate image quality and compare images before interventional neuroendovascular treatment with those just after.
Result: No complications occurred during the examination. The Neuro PBV technique with intraarterial contrast medium was technically successful and provided feasible cerebral blood volume information. The iFlow images were also useful for identifying the changes in vascular velocity from before treatment to just after the treatment.
Conclusion: While further work is required to define its ultimate clinical utility, Neuro PBV and iFlow imaging may provide important information for the management of patients receiving interventional neuroendovascular treatment.