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Imaging the microvessel caliber and density: Principles and applications of microvascular MRI
Author(s) -
Troprès Irène,
Pannetier Nicolas,
Grand Sylvie,
Lemasson Benjamin,
Moisan Anaïck,
Péoc'h Michel,
Rémy Chantal,
Barbier Emmanuel L.
Publication year - 2015
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.25396
Subject(s) - microvessel , caliber , fast spin echo , magnetic resonance imaging , t2 relaxation , nuclear magnetic resonance , biomedical engineering , computer science , medicine , materials science , radiology , physics , pathology , immunohistochemistry , metallurgy
Twenty years ago, theoretical developments were initiated to model the behavior of the NMR transverse relaxation rates in presence of vessels. These developments enabled the MRI‐based mapping of mean vessel diameter, microvascular density, and vessel size index with comparable results to those obtained by a pathologist. The transfer of these techniques to routine clinical use has been hindered by the unavailability of the required sequences, namely fast gradient‐echo spin‐echo sequences. Based on the increasing accessibility of such sequences on MRI scanners over recent years, we review the principles governing microvascular MRI, the validation studies, and the applications that have been tested worldwide by several teams. We also provide some recommendations on how to measure microvessel caliber and density with MRI. Magn Reson Med 73:325–341, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.