Objective   To evaluate the application of flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) of MR perfusion technique in the clinical diagnosis of intracranial tumors compared with the technique of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MR perfusion.   Methods    All patients (35 patients with intracranial tumors first discovered) underwent the FAIR and DSC-MR perfusion imaging subsequently after the conventional sequences. The ratios of relati

ve tumor blood flow (rTBF) were computed for the same region of interest within tumor by the 2 techniques above and the results were analyzed by correlation analysis. Additionally

we have compared the results of the maximum relative tumor blood flow (rTBF

max

) and maximum relative tumor blood volume (rTBV

max

) between intra-axial benign and extra-axial groups

intra-axial malignant and extra-axial

benign and malignant of intra-axial tumors.   Results   It was coincidence for the regional cerebral blood flow maps by the 2 methods and linear correlation of the ratios of relative tumor blood flow in the same region of interest (r=0.667

P=0.000). There were statistical differences of the rTBF

max

of FAIR MR perfusion in between intra-axial benign and extra-axial benign group

between intra-axial benign and intra-axial malignant group. So was the rTBV

max

of DSC MR perfusion. There was no statistical difference of the 2 values between intra-malignant and extra-axial groups.   Conclusion   As an absolute noninvasive and repeatable technique and with no contrast agents needed

FAIR

has a widely potential in clinical application. Since offering the hemodynamic information as the DSC-MR perfusion imaging coincidently.