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Abstract #2729

A Semi-Automated Method for Obtaining the Arterial Input Function in Dynamic Breast Data

Xia Li1,2, E. Brian Welch3, A. Bapsi Chakravarthy4, Ingrid Mayer5, Mark Kelley6, Ingrid Meszoely7, Julie Means-Powell6, John C. Gore, 28, Thomas E. Yankeelov1,2

1Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States; 2Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN, United States; 3Philips Healthcare, Nashville, TN, United States; 4Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University; 5Medical Oncology, Vanderbilt University; 6Surgical Oncology, Vanderbilt University; 7Radiology, Vanderbilt University; 8Radiology and Radiological Sciences , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States


Quantitative analysis of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) data requires the accurate determination of the time rate of change of the concentration of contrast agent, Cp, in the blood pool; what is typically referred to as the arterial input function, or AIF. While there have been several methods suggested for capturing AIF kinetics, many are difficult to apply in the particular case of breast cancer. Here, we propose a simple and effective approach to obtain the AIF from breast DCE-MRI data. The method is based on tracking an initial seed point placed within the axillary artery.