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Characterizing Errors in Pharmacokinetic Parameters from Analyzing Quantitative Abbreviated DCE-MRI Data in Breast
Kalina P Slavkova1, Julie C DiCarlo2,3, Anum S Kazerouni4
1Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Quantitative analysis of abbreviated dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) of the breast is feasible. Abbreviated DCE-MRI accurately reproduces pharmacokinetic parameters (K and v) with minimal data loss for clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is crucial for breast cancer diagnosis.
- Quantitative analysis using pharmacokinetic models can improve diagnostic accuracy.
- Abbreviated DCE-MRI protocols aim to reduce scan time without compromising diagnostic information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of quantitative analysis of abbreviated breast DCE-MRI data using the Standard Kety-Tofts (SKT) model and its Patlak variant.
- To determine the required length of abbreviated time courses (ATCs) to reproduce pharmacokinetic parameters (K and v) compared to full time course data.
- To assess the feasibility of implementing abbreviated DCE-MRI in community settings.
Main Methods:
- Simulations and analysis of patient data from two 3T MRI datasets with temporal resolutions of 15 s and 7.23 s.
- Application of the Standard Kety-Tofts (SKT) model and its Patlak variant to abbreviated time courses (ATCs).
- Calculation of concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) to assess the agreement between abbreviated and full time course data for pharmacokinetic parameters K and v.
Main Results:
- SKT analysis showed CCC > 0.80 for ATCs of 3.0 min (15 s resolution) and 2.5 min (7.23 s resolution) for the K parameter.
- Experimental data analysis indicated that at least 90% of patients met the CCC cut-off of 0.80 for these ATC lengths.
- Patlak analysis of experimental data showed 80-90% of patients met the CCC cut-off for shorter ATCs (1.25 min and 1.09 min).
Conclusions:
- Abbreviated breast DCE-MRI protocols can be quantitatively analyzed with minimal loss of information.
- The findings support the utility of abbreviated DCE-MRI in community settings alongside standard high-resolution scans.
- Quantitative analysis of abbreviated DCE-MRI is feasible and can maintain diagnostic utility.
