Estimation of error limits for cerebral blood flow values obtained from xenon-133 clearance curves.

I provide the theoretical basis for an error calculus for measurements of cerebral blood flow using a freely diffusible tracer substance such as xenon-133. The use of the error calculus is exemplified by a study of the effect on the error margins in measurements of gray matter blood flow from flow level, relative weight of the gray matter compartment, and use of the earliest parts of the clearance curves. The clinical value of the error calculus is illustrated by its ability to separate different sources of measurement error. As a consequence, it is possible to optimize the method for blood flow calculation from the clearance curves, depending on the type of cerebral blood flow measurement. I show that if a true picture of the regional gray matter blood flow distribution is sought, the earliest part of the clearance curves should be used. This does, however, increase the error in the estimate of the average cerebral blood flow value.