Critical Review of the Simple Theoretical Models in Dynamic Imaging: Up-Slope Method and Graphical Analysis

Clinical imaging equipment technological advancements offer insight into the evolution of mathematical techniques used to estimate parameters necessary to characterize the microvasculature and, thus, differentiate normal tissues from abnormal ones. These parameters are blood flow (F), capillary endothelial permeability surface area product (PS), vascular fraction (v_e), and extravascular extracellular space size (EES,v_e). There are a number of well-established approaches that exist in the literature; however, their analysis is restricted by complexity and is heavily influenced by noise. On the other hand, these characteristics can also be calculated using simpler and straightforward approaches such as Up-Slope Method (USM) and Graphical Analysis (GA). The review looks into the theoretical background and clinical uses of these methodologies, as well as the applicability of these techniques in various sections of the human body.