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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantification of Pulmonary Perfusion using Calibrated Arterial Spin Labeling
Published on: May 30, 2011
Determining and optimizing the precision of quantitative measurements of perfusion from dynamic contrast enhanced MRI
Brian M Dale1, John A Jesberger, Jonathan S Lewin
1Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
Purpose:
To examine the sensitivity of quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) perfusion maps to errors in the various source images and to determine optimal imaging parameters for reducing this sensitivity.
Materials And Methods:
A detailed analysis of the precision of a DCE-MRI protocol was performed using the "propagation of errors" technique to investigate the effect of errors in the source images on errors in K(trans). Optimal parameter values and interactions between parameters were examined. The propagation of errors analysis was validated by Monte-Carlo simulations.
Results:
The precision of K(trans) was found to be most sensitive to artifacts in the tissue portion of the baseline images and least sensitive to noise in the arterial portion of the dynamic images. The tip-angle strongly affected the precision, with the optimum being a function of tissue T1(0).
Conclusion:
Protocol optimization requires matching the tip-angle to the anticipated T1(0) of the tissue of interest; however such optimization yields a relatively small improvement. Future developmental efforts would be most productively focused on minimizing the artifact level.
Insights
Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) perfusion maps are sensitive to image errors. Minimizing artifacts in baseline images is crucial for improving K(trans) precision in DCE-MRI.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) provides valuable perfusion information.
- Perfusion map accuracy is dependent on the quality of source images.
- Understanding sensitivity to image errors is key for protocol optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the sensitivity of DCE-MRI perfusion maps to errors in source images.
- To identify optimal imaging parameters for enhancing the robustness of DCE-MRI.
- To guide improvements in DCE-MRI protocol development.
Main Methods:
- Employed the 'propagation of errors' technique for detailed precision analysis.
- Investigated the impact of source image errors on K(trans) values.
- Validated findings using Monte Carlo simulations.
Main Results:
- K(trans) precision is highly sensitive to artifacts in baseline images.
- Noise in arterial dynamic images has minimal impact on K(trans) precision.
- The tip angle significantly influences precision, dependent on tissue T1(0).
Conclusions:
- Optimizing the tip angle based on tissue T1(0) offers limited improvement.
- Focusing on minimizing artifacts in source images is paramount for enhancing DCE-MRI accuracy.
- Future research should prioritize artifact reduction strategies.
