User friendly analysis of MR investigations of the cerebral perfusion:: Windows®-based image processing

Purpose: Quick and user-friendly analysis of perfusion and diffusion weighted MRI by means of interactive computer software. Method: A Windows(R)-based software was developed for analysis of perfusion (PWI) and diffusion (DWI) MR imaging. The computer program was developed in the programming language C++ using optimized algorithms, so that a high computing speed on Win95/98/NT systems is achieved. The established SVD algorithms of Ostergaard et al. for quantitative perfusion analysis were implemented. Results: Perfusion parameter maps of the cerebral blood flow (rCBF), the mean transit time (MTT) and the cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in consideration of the arterial input function (AIF) can be calculated and visualized using color tables. Additionally, the calculation of "time-to-peak" maps (TTP) and of maps of the percentage change in signal intensity (PC) is possible. The analysis of n = 10 normal persons shows perfusion values that agree with those found in the literature. Discussion: With the computer program developed here color-coded perfusion parameter maps can be calculated easily. Because of the high computing speed it is possible to get information about tissue perfusion on the basis of the large MR data sets even in acute investigations.