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Abstract #3609

3D Sequences Used for DCE-MRI Can Exhibit Initial Instabilities That Will Affect T1 Quantification

Michael Germuska1, James A. d'Arcy1, Keiko Miyazaki1, Matthew R. Orton1, Geoffrey S. Payne1, Martin O. Leach1, David J. Collins1

1CRUK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Group, Institute of Cancer Research & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, UK


Modelling pharmacokinetic behaviour with DCE-MRI experiments requires precise and accurate T1 estimates. Any short-term instability of the dynamic data would adversely affect T1 estimates and the resulting pharmacokinetic model accuracy. Phantom experiments were performed to assess the accuracy and short-term stability of a number of sequences. We found that changes in acquisition parameters had a significant effect on the short-term stability of dynamic data. In particular, we observed a significant initial signal drift for certain gradient echo sequences. We feel it is essential to perform this level of quality assurance in order to have the required confidence in DCE-MRI data.