Pixel-by-pixel analysis of DCE MRI curve patterns and an illustration of its application to the imaging of the musculoskeletal system

Magn Reson Imaging. 2007 Jun;25(5):604-12. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2006.10.021. Epub 2006 Dec 8.

Abstract

Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI is a widespread method that has found broad application in the imaging of the musculoskeletal (MSK) system. A common way of analyzing DCE MRI images is to look at the shape of the time-intensity curve (TIC) in pixels selected after drawing an ROI in a highly enhanced area. Although often applied to a number of MSK affections, shape analysis has so far not led to a unanimous correlation between these TIC patterns and pathology. We hypothesize that this might be a result of the subjective ROI approach. To overcome the shortcomings of the ROI approach (sampling error and interuser variability, among others), we created a method for a fast and simple classification of DCE MRI where time-curve enhancement shapes are classified pixel by pixel according to their shape. The result of the analysis is rendered in multislice, 2D color-coded images. With this approach, we show not only that differences on a short distance range of the TIC patterns are significant and cannot be appreciated with a conventional ROI analysis but also that the information that shape maps and conventional standard DCE MRI parameter maps convey are substantially different.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Contrast Media
  • Female
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Joint Diseases / classification
  • Joint Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium DTPA