Combined Spin and Gradient Echo Imaging Following Injection of USPIOs in Humans

Thomas Christen¹, Deqiang Qiu¹, Wendy W. Ni¹, Heiko Schmiedeskamp¹, Roland Bammer¹, Michael E. Moseley¹, Greg Zaharchuk¹

In the present study, we analysed the spin- and gradient echo contrast variations following injection of Ferumoxytol (an FDA-approved ultra-small paramagnetic iron oxide [USPIO] compound) in the human brain. The high magnetic susceptibility of ferumoxytol allow the acquisition of high quality spin-echo perfusion maps as well as parametric maps describing the vessel diameter and vessel density of the microvasculature. The long half-life of the contrast agent permits acquisitions at high spatial resolution.