Comparison of a Data Processing Method Accounting for Contrast Agent Extravasation with the Pre-Load Approach in Bolus-Based CBV Estimates in Tumors

Irne Troprs^1,2, Nicolas Pannetier, ²³, Sylvie D. Grand, ^2,4, Alexandre Krainik, ^2,4, Jean-Franois Le Bas, ^2,4, Emmanuel L. Barbier, ²³

Estimate of relative Cerebral Blood Volume (rCBV) obtained with DSC methods suffers from contrast agent (CA) extravasation in brain tumors. The aim of this study is to compare a data processing method accounting for CA dilution with the pre-load approach. In nine patients, a DSC protocol was performed twice within the same session. A gamma-variate fit was used to compute rCBV maps, with and without considering the dilution. This study suggests that the dilution method is relevant when CA pre-load is performed and that normalization of rCBV estimates by white matter values should be handled with care.