Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging in Pediatric Brain Tumors

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Brain Tumors

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00907244

2008-4-5917 (Other Identifier)

CHP 901 ASL

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to get information regarding the usefulness and accuracy of this new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique - termed arterial spin labeling (ASL) - in the diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors.

Full description

The purpose of this study is to get information regarding the usefulness and accuracy of this new MRI technique - termed arterial spin labeling (ASL) - in the diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors. This technique can non-invasively measure the blood flow to the brain during MRI examination. Because aggressive brain tumors require new blood vessels and a high level of blood supply to support its growth, we believe the tumor blood flow measured using ASL is a reliable indicator of tumor grade. This information may be useful for doctors to make treatment decisions and to monitor patients' response to treatment.

Enrollment: 13 patients

Sex: All

Ages: Under 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 0-18 years
• Primary brain tumor (newly diagnosed or recurrent) with measurable disease (at least 1cm2)

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with cardiac pacemaker or ferrous metal foreign bodies
• Patients with medical problems contradictive to receiving MRI scans.
• Patients requiring general anesthesia or sedation for their MRI scan.
• Patients with a history of cerebrovascular disorders (stroke, moya moya) that may alter cerebral perfusion.