Arterial Spin-Labeling: Pediatric Applications

Arterial spin-labeling is an MR imaging perfusion technique that enables noncontrast quantification of cerebral blood flow. This article reviews the technical background and applications of arterial spin-labeling in the pediatric population. Key technical considerations include selection of labeling sequence and post-label delay. For proper scan interpretation, it is important to understand normal variations, including age dependence, physiologic patterns, and technical artifacts. Examples of multisequence correlation and added clinical value are demonstrated for a variety of diagnoses, including ischemia, vasculopathy, vascular anomalies, tumors, epilepsy, toxic and metabolic disorders, infection, inflammation, and trauma.

Learning Objective: Identify special considerations of arterial spin-labeling in pediatric neuroimaging with regard to technique, artifacts, and clinical applications.