Feasibility of R2*-based cerebral venous oxygenation mapping using a clinical susceptibility-weighted imaging protocol

The brain’s oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) is a key parameter in assessing cerebrovascular function and brain oxygen consumption. We investigated the feasibility of measuring cerebral venous oxygenation (SvO2), the key determinant of OEF, based on R2* estimated from a clinical susceptibility weighted imaging protocol and vessel segmentation aided by gadolinium administration, in a cohort of patients with Multiple Sclerosis. We were able to estimate venous oxygenation in the superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus, transverse sinuses and internal cerebral veins. The global median SvO2 ranged between 0.60 and 0.68, within the range of values expected in the human brain.