Comparison of first‐pass Gd‐DOTA and FAIRER MR perfusion imaging in a rabbit model of pulmonary embolism

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Abstract
Purpose: To compare the sensitivity of contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arterial spin labeling to perfusion deficits in the lung.Materials and Methods: A rabbit model of pulmonary embolism was imaged with both flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery with an extra radiofrequency pulse (FAIRER) arterial spin labeling and Gd‐DOTA enhanced MRI. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the area of the perfusion deficit and the normal lung for both techniques.Results: The defect was readily visible in all images. The normal lung had an average of 3.8 ± 1.2 times the SNR of the unperfused lung with the arterial spin labeling technique, and approximately 13.7 ± 3.3 times the SNR with the contrast‐enhanced technique.Conclusion: Gd‐DOTA enhanced MRI provides higher SNR in pulmonary perfusion imaging; however, arterial spin labeling is also adequate and may be used when repeated studies are indicated. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;16:168–171.