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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of an Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model
Published on: April 18, 2015
Assessment of micronecrotic tumor tissue using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Olga Schimpf1, Stefan Hindel1, Lutz Lüdemann1
1Department of Radiation Therapy, Hufelandstr. 55, Universitätsklinikum Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Abstract:
Compartmental models for evaluation of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) datasets assume a homogeneous interstitital volume distribution and homogeneous contrast agent (CA) distribution within each compartment, neglecting effects of CA diffusion within the compartments. When necrotic or micronecrotic tumor tissue is present, these assumptions may no longer be valid. Therefore, the present study investigates the validity of three compartmental models in assessing tumors with necrotic components. The general diffusion equation for inhomogeneous tissue was used to simulate the extravasation of a low-molecular-weight contrast agent from a feeding vessel into the interstitial space. The simulated concentration-time curves were evaluated using the extended Tofts model, a parallel 3-compartment model, and a sequential 3-compartment model. The extended Tofts model overestimated the interstitial volume fraction by a median of 6.9% resp. 10.0% and the parallel 3-compartment model by 8.6% resp. 15.5%, while the sequential 3-compartment model overestimated it by 0.2% resp. underestimated it by 18.8% when simulating a mean vessel distance of 100μm resp. 150μm. Overall, the sequential 3-compartment model provided more reliable results both for the total fractional interstitial volume and for the interstitial subcompartments.
Insights
Compartmental models for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) can be inaccurate with necrotic tumors. The sequential 3-compartment model offers more reliable assessment of interstitial volume in such complex tumor microenvironments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Radiology
- Mathematical Modeling
Background:
- Compartmental models in DCE-MRI often assume homogeneous tissue and contrast agent distribution.
- These assumptions are challenged by the presence of necrotic or micronecrotic tumor components.
- Contrast agent diffusion within tumor compartments is often neglected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the validity of three compartmental models (extended Tofts, parallel 3-compartment, sequential 3-compartment) for DCE-MRI analysis of tumors with necrotic tissue.
- To evaluate the impact of contrast agent diffusion on model performance.
- To identify the most reliable model for assessing interstitial volume in heterogeneous tumors.
Main Methods:
- Simulated extravasation of a low-molecular-weight contrast agent into interstitial space using the general diffusion equation for inhomogeneous tissue.
- Evaluated simulated concentration-time curves with extended Tofts, parallel 3-compartment, and sequential 3-compartment models.
- Assessed model accuracy based on simulated mean vessel distances of 100µm and 150µm.
Main Results:
- The extended Tofts model overestimated interstitial volume fraction by 6.9%–10.0%.
- The parallel 3-compartment model showed overestimations of 8.6%–15.5%.
- The sequential 3-compartment model demonstrated superior accuracy, with overestimations of 0.2% and underestimations of 18.8% at 100µm and 150µm, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Standard compartmental models may inaccurately assess interstitial volume in tumors with necrotic components due to diffusion effects.
- The sequential 3-compartment model provides more reliable quantification of total and subcompartmental interstitial volumes in heterogeneous tumors.
- This highlights the importance of considering diffusion and tissue heterogeneity in DCE-MRI analysis.
