Simultaneous perfusion and permeability assessments using multiband multi-echo EPI (M2-EPI) in brain tumors

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Medical Physics
• Radiology

Background:

• Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion imaging is crucial for brain tumor assessment.
• Accurate estimation of perfusion and vascular permeability is vital for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring.
• Limitations exist in current DSC imaging techniques, particularly regarding temporal resolution and leakage correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel multiband multi-echo echo-planar imaging (M2-EPI) sequence for DSC perfusion imaging.
• To incorporate leakage correction and assess vascular permeability.
• To determine the benefits of enhanced temporal resolution on the accuracy of perfusion and permeability estimations.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel M2-EPI sequence.
• Employed a pharmacokinetic model that accounts for contrast agent extravasation.
• Validated the technique in vivo in 5 brain tumor patients and through numerical simulations.

Main Results:

• M2-EPI provided more accurate cerebral blood volume (CBV) estimates in tumors compared to single-echo methods.
• Quantitative analysis revealed significantly higher CBV and mean transit time values with M2-EPI.
• Numerical simulations confirmed that improved temporal resolution leads to more accurate perfusion and permeability parameter estimations.

Conclusions:

• The M2-EPI acquisition strategy enhances DSC imaging by enabling leakage-corrected perfusion and permeability measurements.
• This technique offers more accurate parameter estimations, potentially serving as a quantitative tool for brain tumor management.
• M2-EPI holds promise for improved diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring of brain tumors.