Sampling requirements in DCE-MRI based analysis of high grade gliomas: simulations and clinical results

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 Apr;37(4):818-29. doi: 10.1002/jmri.23866. Epub 2012 Oct 19.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of variations in temporal resolution and total measurement times on the estimations of kinetic parameters derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI in patients with high-grade gliomas (HGGs).

Materials and methods: DCE-MRI with high temporal resolution (dynamic sampling time (T(s)) = 2.1 s and 3.4 s) and total sampling time (T(acq)) of 5.2 min was acquired in 101 examinations from 15 patients. Using the modified Tofts model K(trans), k(ep) v(e) and v(p) were estimated. The effects of increasing T(s) and reducing T(acq) on the estimated kinetic parameters were estimated through down-sampling and data truncation, and the results were compared with numerical simulations.

Results: There was an overall dependence of all four kinetic parameters on T(s) and T(acq). Increasing T(s) resulted in under-estimation of K(trans) and over-estimation of V(p), whereas k(ep) and V(e) varied in a less predictable manner. Reducing T(acq) resulted in over-estimation of K(trans) and k(ep) and under-estimation of v(p) and v(e). Increasing T(s) and reducing T(acq) resulted in increased relative error for all four parameters.

Conclusion: Estimated K(trans), K(ep), and V(e) in HGGs were within 15% of the high sampling rate reference values for T(s) <20 s. Increasing T(s) and reducing T(acq) leads to reduced precision of the estimated values.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Artifacts
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiology
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Capillary Permeability / physiology
  • Computer Simulation
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage*
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Glioma / blood supply*
  • Glioma / diagnosis*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Kinetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted
  • Organometallic Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • gadobutrol