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A simplified spin and gradient echo approach for brain tumor perfusion imaging
Author(s) -
Stokes Ashley M.,
Quarles C. Chad
Publication year - 2016
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.25591
Subject(s) - gradient echo , spin echo , nuclear magnetic resonance , nonlinear system , echo (communications protocol) , leakage (economics) , magnetic resonance imaging , blood flow , physics , computer science , radiology , medicine , computer network , macroeconomics , quantum mechanics , economics
Purpose In this study, we propose a simplified acquisition and analysis approach for spin and gradient echo (SAGE)‐based dynamic susceptibility‐contrast MRI (DSC‐MRI) data that is free of contrast agent T 1 leakage effects. Methods A five‐echo SAGE sequence was used to acquire DSC‐MRI data in rat C6 tumors (n = 7). Nonlinear fitting of all echoes was performed to obtain T 1 ‐insensitive ΔR 2 * and ΔR 2 time series. The simplified approach, which includes two gradient echoes and one spin echo, was also used to analytically compute T 1 ‐insensitive ΔR 2 * using the two gradient echoes and ΔR 2 using all three echoes. The blood flow, blood volume, and vessel size values derived from each method were compared. Results In all cases, the five‐echo and simplified SAGE ΔR 2 * and ΔR 2 were in excellent agreement and demonstrated significant T 1 leakage correction compared with the uncorrected single‐echo data. The derived hemodynamic parameters for blood volume, blood flow, and vessel size were not significantly different between the two methods. Conclusions The proposed simplified SAGE technique enables the acquisition of gradient and spin echo DSC‐MRI data corrected for T 1 leakage effects yields parameters that are in agreement with the five‐echo SAGE approach and does not require nonlinear fitting to extract ΔR 2 * and ΔR 2 time series. Magn Reson Med 75:356–362, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.