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Measuring the arterial input function with gradient echo sequences
Author(s) -
van Osch Matthias J.P.,
Vonken Evertjan P.A.,
Viergever Max A.,
van der Grond Jeroen,
Bakker Chris J.G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.10461
Subject(s) - reproducibility , imaging phantom , calibration , amplitude , nuclear magnetic resonance , in vivo , biomedical engineering , calibration curve , signal (programming language) , phase (matter) , function (biology) , gradient echo , echo (communications protocol) , accuracy and precision , mathematics , chemistry , materials science , physics , magnetic resonance imaging , computer science , optics , chromatography , medicine , radiology , statistics , detection limit , computer network , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry , evolutionary biology , biology , programming language
Abstract The measurement of the arterial input function by use of gradient echo sequences was investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. First, calibration curves representing the influence of the concentration of Gd‐DTPA on both the phase and the amplitude of the MR signal were measured in human blood by means of a slow‐infusion experiment. The results showed a linear increase in the phase velocity and a quadratic increase in Δ R * 2as a function of the Gd‐DTPA concentration. Next, the resultant calibration curves were incorporated in a partial volume correction algorithm for the arterial input function determination. The algorithm was tested in a phantom experiment and was found to substantially improve the accuracy of the concentration measurement. Finally, the reproducibility of the arterial input function measurement was estimated in 16 patients by considering the input function of the left and the right sides as replicate measurements. This in vivo study showed that the reproducibility of the arterial input function determination using gradient echo sequences is improved by employing a partial volume correction algorithm based on the calibration curve for the contrast agent used. Magn Reson Med 49:1067–1076, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.