Temporal sampling requirements for reference region modeling of DCE-MRI data in human breast cancer

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2009 Jul;30(1):121-34. doi: 10.1002/jmri.21812.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the temporal sampling requirements needed for quantitative analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) data with a reference region (RR) model in human breast cancer.

Materials and methods: Simulations were used to study errors in pharmacokinetic parameters (K(trans) and v(e)) estimated by the RR model using six DCE-MRI acquisitions over a range of pharmacokinetic parameter values, arterial input functions, and temporal samplings. DCE-MRI data were acquired on 12 breast cancer patients and parameters were estimated using the native resolution data (16.4 seconds) and compared to downsampled 32.8-second and 65.6-second data.

Results: Simulations show that, in the majority of parameter combinations, the RR model results in an error less than 20% in the extracted parameters with temporal sampling as poor as 35.6 seconds. The experimental results show a high correlation between K(trans) and v(e) estimates from data acquired at 16.4-second temporal resolution compared to the downsampled 32.8-second data: the slope of the regression line was 1.025 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.021, 1.029), Pearson's correlation r = 0.943 (95% CI: 0.940, 0.945) for K(trans), and 1.023 (95% CI: 1.021. 1.025), r = 0.979 (95% CI: 0.978, 0.980) for v(e). For the 64-second temporal resolution data the results were: 0.890 (95% CI: 0.894, 0.905), r = 0.8645, (95% CI: 0.858, 0.871) for K(trans), and 1.041 (95% CI: 1.039, 1.043), r = 0.970 (95% CI: 0.968, 0.971) for v(e).

Conclusion: RR analysis allows for a significant reduction in temporal sampling requirements and this lends itself to analyze DCE-MRI data acquired in practical situations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Computer Simulation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Contrast Media* / pharmacokinetics
  • Female
  • Gadolinium DTPA* / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium DTPA