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Accuracy of T1 measurement in dynamic contrast‐enhanced breast MRI using two‐ and three‐dimensional variable flip angle fast low‐angle shot
Author(s) -
Brookes Jason A.,
Redpath Thomas W.,
Gilbert Fiona J.,
Murray Alison D.,
Staff Roger T.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1522-2586(199902)9:2<163::aid-jmri3>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - flip angle , imaging phantom , magnetic resonance imaging , contrast (vision) , breast imaging , quality assurance , image quality , electromagnetic coil , flash (photography) , computer science , nuclear magnetic resonance , mammography , materials science , physics , optics , artificial intelligence , medicine , image (mathematics) , breast cancer , radiology , cancer , quantum mechanics , external quality assessment , pathology
In vivo T1 measurements, used to monitor the uptake of contrast agent by tissues, are typically performed as a first step in implementing compartmental analysis of contrast‐enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. We have extended previously described methodology for in vivo T1 measurement (using a variable flip‐angle gradient‐recalled echo technique) to two‐dimensional (2D), fast low‐angle shot (FLASH). This approach requires computational modeling of slice‐selective radiofrequency (RF) excitation to correct for nonrectangular slice profiles. The accuracy with which breast tissue T1 values can be measured by this approach is examined: T1 measurements from phantom and in vivo image data acquired with 2D and 3D FLASH imaging sequences are presented. Significant sources of error due to imaging pulse sequence quality and RF transmit field nonuniformity in the breast coil device that will have detrimental consequences for compartmental analysis are identified. Rigorous quality assurance programs with calibrated phantoms are thus recommended, to verify the accuracy with which T1 measurements are obtained. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;9:163–171. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.