Graeme M. Wardlaw1,2, Raimond Wong3, Colm Boylan4, Ryan Rebello4, Michael D. Noseworthy2,5
1Medical Physics and Applied Radiation
Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 2Brain-Body
Institute, St. Josephs Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 3Dept. of
Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 4Dept. of
Diagnostic Imaging, St. Josephs Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 5Electrical
and Computer Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster
University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Investigation of tumour microvasculature typically involves application of dynamic contrast methods, exploiting T1 or T2 based relaxation. However, typical pharacokinetic models simplify complex biological systems via numerous assumptions. Alternatively, model-free approaches offer an easy, and potentially equally effective means of assessing tissue microstructure. Herein, we investigate a 6-parameter logistic approach applied to a T2*-weighted echo-planar imaging readout bolus response curve. This allows for increased spatial coverage over T1 methods, while maintaining rapid 1.5s temporal acquisition. Initial investigation of rectal cancer shows good clinical and previous study correlation.