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Published on: August 18, 2016
A novel methodology for mapping interstitial fluid dynamics in murine brain tumors using DCE-MRI
Cora Carman-Esparza1, Kathryn Kingsmore2, Andrea Vaccari3
1Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.
This study introduces a new method combining dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and Lymph4D software to measure interstitial fluid flow in brain tumors. This approach offers insights into fluid dynamics beyond traditional vascular perfusion analysis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuro-oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Interstitial fluid dynamics play a crucial role in tumor progression and drug delivery.
- Conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) primarily assesses vascular perfusion, often overlooking interstitial transport.
- Understanding interstitial fluid flow is vital for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a comprehensive methodology for quantifying heterogeneous interstitial fluid flow in murine brain tumors.
- To demonstrate the utility of coupling DCE-MRI with the Lymph4D computational tool for advanced interstitial fluid analysis.
- To highlight the potential of this methodology for broader applications in DCE-MRI-imaged conditions.
Main Methods:
- A four-part protocol involving glioma cell preparation, tumor inoculation in murine models, a specialized DCE-MRI imaging protocol, and histological verification using Evans Blue.
- Utilizing the Lymph4D computational tool to analyze DCE-MRI data for interstitial fluid dynamics.
- Quantifying interstitial fluid directions, velocities, and diffusion coefficients.
Main Results:
- The developed methodology successfully measures heterogeneous interstitial fluid flow in brain tumors.
- The approach provides detailed insights into interstitial fluid dynamics, including directional information and transport coefficients.
- This method extends beyond glioma research, proving applicable to various conditions imaged with DCE-MRI.
Conclusions:
- The combined DCE-MRI and Lymph4D methodology offers a powerful tool for investigating interstitial fluid dynamics in brain tumors.
- This technique unlocks the potential of DCE-MRI for assessing interstitial transport, complementing vascular perfusion analysis.
- The versatile methodology promises to accelerate biomedical research and enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for a wide range of diseases.
