High temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI at 7 Tesla: a feasibility study with mouse liver model

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2011:2011:2788-91. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6090763.

Abstract

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has been widely applied to evaluate microcirculatory parameters in clinical settings. However, pre-clinical studies involving DCE-MRI of small animals remain challenging with the requirement for high spatial and temporal resolution for quantitative tracer kinetic analysis. This study illustrates the feasibility of applying a high temporal resolution (2 s) protocol for liver imaging in mice by analyzing the DCE-MRI datasets of mice liver with a dual-input two-compartment tracer kinetic model. Phantom studies were performed to validate the T(1) estimates derived by the proposed protocol before applying it in mice studies. The DCE-MRI datasets of mice liver were amendable to tracer kinetic analysis using a dual-input two-compartment model. Estimated micro-circulatory parameters were consistent with liver physiology, indicating viability of applying the technique for pre-clinical drug developments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Contrast Media*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Liver / anatomy & histology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phantoms, Imaging

Substances

  • Contrast Media