perfusion defect
An area of decreased or absent blood flow on perfusion imaging, potentially indicating vascular compromise or tissue necrosis.
Full Definition
A perfusion defect represents a region of diminished or absent blood flow detected on perfusion imaging studies such as CT perfusion, MR perfusion, or nuclear medicine perfusion scans. In oncologic radiology, perfusion defects may indicate treatment-related tissue necrosis, vascular compromise from tumor compression, or radiation-induced vascular damage. These defects appear as areas of reduced contrast enhancement, decreased blood volume, or prolonged transit times compared to surrounding normal tissue. Proper identification of perfusion defects is crucial for distinguishing treatment response from disease progression.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from perfusion imaging (the technique) and hypoperfusion (the physiologic state)
In Context
- "Post-treatment perfusion defects were noted in the peripheral tumor margin." — Follow-up MRI report
- "The perfusion defect corresponded to areas of radiation-induced necrosis." — Correlation study